PEOPLE living in Ryedale are being offered the chance to trial a home composter to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill sites.

After 60 days, if householders are satisfied with their composter, they will be able to keep it for £14.95.

The scheme is part of Ryedale District Council's work to help reduce the amount of waste reaching landfill sites across North Yorkshire.

The council's recycling officer, John Brown, said: "Home composting is one of the best ways to achieve this. Around a quarter of the average dustbin is kitchen and garden waste, much of which can be easily composted and recycled back into the garden as a soil conditioner."

Free composters are also being made available to schools in Ryedale, to help teach youngsters the importance of reducing the amount of waste they create.

Katie Harvey, the county's schools waste action club education officer, said: "Many schools are now composting and students are taking their enthusiasm from school back to their homes, which is excellent news for the environment."

To order a composter, contact the local helpline on (0870) 8494866 or visit the www.trycomposting.com/ yny website