NEW rules have been introduced to encourage householders in Pendle to recycle more of their rubbish.

Household Waste Recycling Centres at Regent Street, Colne, and West Close, Barnoldswick, are now open 8am to 7pm, 362 days a year and extra staff have been recruited on site to help people to recycle.

As part of the new rules, Lancashire County Council has taken measures to stop the use of the sites by traders wishing to dispose of trade waste without paying for it.

By law, traders must pay for trade waste and cannot dispose of it as household waste. The practice is believed to have been costing tax payers in Lancashire as much as £1m a year.

Traders now have to take their waste to alternative sites or hire a skip to use for their waste. Alternatively, Pendle Council will collect the waste for a small charge.

Carole Taylor, Pendle Council's waste management co-ordinator, said: "The county council has introduced these measures to make it easier for householders across the county to recycle their rubbish.

"They have invested considerable resources to fulfil their commitment and reach the high recycling targets we have set."

As part of these measures, householders wishing to bring household waste to the HWRC sites in either a van (with no more than four wheels), a trade vehicle or a twin axle trailer (up to three metres in length) have to apply for a permit to use an identified site.

This can be obtained by telephoning Lancashire County Council on 0845 0500 957 during normal office hours.