THE first residents in Pendle have started using a new garden waste collection service aimed at reaching government recycling targets.

Residents in Reedley, Brierfield and Little Marsden, Barrowford, Higham and Fence, Marsden and parts of Bradley in Nelson have been given a free wheelie bin to use the free fortnightly, kerbside collection service.

Residents can use the bins for grass cuttings, bark, leaves, hedge trimmings, twigs, small branches, fallen fruit, cut flowers, and garden and house plants.

The service also includes the collection of cardboard and waste paper.

By the end of May 2003, the two services will be rolled out to 15,000 properties in Pendle which have gardens.

Denise Bell, the council's recycling officer, said: "The new garden waste collection service will allow residents to recycle more of their waste. Initial responses from residents have been positive with people wanting to do their bit for the environment."

Pendle Council faces tough new Government targets on the amount of household waste it must recycle. The service should allow the council to triple the amount of household waste that is currently recycled in Pendle from 11.53 per cent to 33.60 per cent within a three-year period.