COLNE is set to become the first area in Pendle to introduce recycling bins in the town centre.

The two and three-compartment bins will be in addition to the existing litter bins at a cost of several thousand pounds, as part of Pendle Council's drive to increase recycling rates.

Councillors at the Colne District and Committee meeting supported the idea for extra recycling bins, first suggested by Vivary Bridge councillor Howard Thomas.

Coun John David, the council's executive member for the environment, said: "This is good news, it will build on what we have already achieved by encouraging people to recycle as much as possible."We're doing very well in Pendle, we take recycling very seriously and have invested a lot of time and money into a number of schemes.

"When we decided to focus on it we did so throughout the whole borough, and it's been a success, I think the majority of our residents have got the message about the importance of recycling, and understand what we are trying to do and why."

He added: "This new scheme will be another way to remind people to recycle whenever they can." The new recycling bins will be installed in Colne over the coming weeks.

Currently residents can recycle their household and garden waste through the council's doorstep collection or at the Colne Household Waste Recycling Centre in Corporation Street.

Last week four Pendle residents were named as recycling champions in a competition organised by the council as part of its Cleaner, Safer, Greener campaign.

Anyone wanting more information on recycling can call 01282 661743.