HOUSEHOLDERS are being urged to support a recycling campaign launched yesterday.

Recycling banks for plastic bottles have been set up in Malton and Norton-on-Derwent following requests by residents.

The message to recycle plastic bottles will be spread further afield during the coming months thanks to stickers on wheeled bins.

The plastic bottle banks in Wentworth Street car park, Malton and St Nicholas Street car park, Norton-on-Derwent, are part of a pilot scheme by the district council.

If successful, the scheme will be extended to other market towns in the area.

The recycling banks will accept all types of plastic bottles. However, other plastics, such as plastic bags, yoghurt pots, food trays and egg boxes are unsuitable for recycling and should not be placed in the bins.

Where possible, bottles should be washed and squashed before being taken to the banks, which are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

"Advice on what bottles are suitable for recycling is clearly displayed on the banks," said environmental co-ordinator John Brown.

"All recyclable plastic bottles should have an identification number - inside a triangular recycling logo - stamped on them.

"Numbers one to four are good for recycling - anything else is not suitable."