KERBSIDE recycling looks likely to be expanded in the city of York, following a successful trial of 900 households.

The local authority has committed itself to increase the scheme so that it covers 25 per cent of the city, or about 20,000 households.

Details of the proposed areas of the city have been revealed and will go to a consultation meeting later this week.

The first phase of the scheme will focus on the west side of the city and will include parts of Rawcliffe, Clifton Without, Knapton, Nether Poppleton, Wood- thorpe, Dringhouses, Hessay, Rufforth, Beckfield Lane and Acomb.

Waste strategy development manager Kristy Walton said: "With household rubbish increasing at a rate of three per cent per year, the plans to extend recycling follow a citywide consultation on recycling last year.

"The consultation found high levels of support for waste separation and collection schemes, with high numbers of people willing to separate kitchen, garden and general waste, for special collections.

"If these proposals are accepted, then we will begin acommunications campaign, entitled Rethink Rubbish, which will involve writing to all residents involved, providing leaflets and information, as well as delivering the recycling boxes and bags.

"We will aim to have the scheme up and running in May."