WHEELIE bins and kerbside recycling boxes are heading for Hyndburn after residents voted overwhelmingly in favour of the new recycling and waste management scheme.

More than 1,250 local people aired their views in a public consultation which showed that 88 per cent were broadly in favour.

Concerns were raised, however, about storage of recycling containers and how the elderly and disabled would manage.

But councillors say they are confident they can deal with the problems.

More than half of the respondents were in favour of the wheeled bins scheme and 81 per cent supported the kerbside recycling box proposals.

Coun Ian Ormerod, leader of Hyndburn Council said "This scheme will mean that we can tackle our other big issue in Hyndburn -- litter and rubbish.

"The wheelie bins provide an actual receptacle for rubbish, with a lid which will mean that there are fewer smells, flies and problems with vermin that are associated with the traditional black bag scheme.

"The bins are contained and therefore animal proof, which will overcome the problem of black bags being put out too early and being ripped open by cats and dogs.

"The collectors are less likely to spill the contents and therefore the problem of litter blowing about on the day of collection will be reduced.

"As I've said before we only borrow the planet from our children and recycling is the way forward to preserve the environment. "

As the scheme is about to be introduced into areas through roadshows held to provide detailed information about the scheme and to look into resolving any individual problems.

The scheme, funded through Government money, has been planned in a bid to reach Government targets of recycling 12 per cent of household waste by 2003/4. Hyndburn currently only recycles six per cent.

Coun Tim O'Kane, portfolio holder with responsibility for cleansing, said We are confident that we can deal with the issues raised, as they have already been addressed by other authorities.

"We will always assist elderly and disabled residents with collection, and where real individual problems remain we will consult with residents and try to come up with a solution."