RESIDENTS in an East Lancashire borough have topped the national league for leaving out the least amount of rubbish for the binmen.

Hyndburn Council collected just 302kg of waste per person last financial year - because residents have become so focused on recycling their rubbish instead.

Burnley Borough Council was also named in the government's latest environmental league tables, as one of the most improved authorities in the UK for reducing amounts of non-recyclable waste. The council has seen a 31 per cent reduction in the amount of rubbish being collected from households.

The results were revealed in Defra's municipal waste statistics for all English local authorities in 2006/07, which show how individual councils are contributing to national goals to reduce waste, recycle more and landfill less.

Coun Peter Clarke, Hyndburn Council's cabinet member for environmental issues, said "This is great news and a big thanks should go to all our residents who are keen recyclers. Keeping residual waste to a minimum is a key role in helping us smash our recycling targets and current figures show we are now recycling 38 per cent of household waste."

He added: "Our ground breaking Waste Watching for schools initiative, which harnesses children's natural enthusiasm for recycling, has also played a big part in the success and will be rolling this out to high schools this year.

"Sending huge amounts of waste to landfill is not an option for our future generations and we will carry on aiming for the highest recycling rates"

Local authorities have collectively boosted national recycling and composting rates to 31 per cent and disposed of 1 million tonnes less waste in landfill in 2006/07, compared to 2005/06.

Climate change and waste minister, Joan Ruddock, said: "These statistics show that many householders and local authorities have got the "reduce, reuse and recycle" message and are doing a great job. They are helping in our battle against dangerous climate change.

"But some authorities are not doing anywhere near enough. Under-performing councils must do more to help their residents reduce their rubbish and recycle more from their homes."

No other East Lancashire councils were listed by Defra.