A LOCAL authority is keen to encourage residents to help with a recycling scheme launched today.

Gateshead Council is asking for support for its Kerb-it project.

Householders are asked to help the scheme by contributing to a fortnightly collection of paper, glass and cans.

Households are receiving recycling boxes which they are asked to leave outside their homes every two weeks for collection.

Michael McNestry, the council's local environment cabinet member, said: "Too many of us use the excuse that we have not got the time to recycle because it involves a trip to the recycling site, and finding space in the garage to store empty cans and bottles is a problem.

"This Kerb-it scheme takes the hassle out of recycling by bringing it to the doorstep of households on a fortnightly basis, with collections coinciding with the regular wheeled bin collection day."

More than 84,000 households have received their recycling boxes ready for the service to begin across the borough.