A COUNCIL worker has won national praise for talking rubbish.

Barbara Webster, a community waste liaison officer for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, made a shortlist of three for Local Authority Recycling Champion.

She was cited for "her unwavering enthusiasm in engaging with the public to encourage recycling" when she attended a ceremony in London's Savoy Hotel. Her work had already been recognised by council colleagues when she was named as employee of the year in the council's summer Pride awards.

Ms Webster, who has been in the post for almost two years, and has knocked on more than 3,000 doors across the borough, said: "It's a really great job. It's all about helping people, and once they get into the recycling habit, they really appreciate it."

But although she missed out on the top award, her achievements deserve the highest praise, said the council's cabinet member for environmental improvement, Councillor Bob Stanway.

He said: "Barbara really has been the face of Redcar and Cleveland's waste and recycling operation. Her enthusiasm has assisted in bringing quite a lot of wavering residents into the recycling fold.

"We wouldn't have managed to get where we are on recycling levels without Barbara's efforts. It was a great achievement to be shortlisted."