KEEN gardeners are being encouraged to take advantage of free compost to help their gardens grow.

Stockton Borough Council is urging residents to get down to the household waste recycling facility at Haverton Hill, on Thursday, where free first-class compost will be available.

It will be open from 10am and compost will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

The last compost giveaway day held there recently was a huge success, with residents queuing to receive their free bag.

Within three hours, more than ten-and-a-half tonnes was given away to residents of Stockton and Middlesbrough.

So far, 36 tonnes of composted material, made from the green waste brought into the site, has been taken away and used by residents.

People are given a bag full of compost and are encouraged, when they have used it, to fill the bag with green waste and bring it back to the site for composting.

Councillor Steve Nelson, the council's cabinet member for the environment, said: "This is recycling at its best, where everyone benefits. We are encouraging residents to take advantage of this great offer."