A NEW improved recycling scheme has been launched in Burnley to try to turn mountains of rubbish into molehills.

Burnley Borough Council has been given a government grant to extend its current kerbside collection service to take in a host of other recyclable materials.

Since it started 18 months ago, the collection service has recycled over 2,000 tonnes of old newspapers and magazines.

Every house will be provided with a six-month supply of claret bags in addition to a white paper recycling sack.

The council are asking residents to put all their cans, plastics, bottles, cartons and film, cardboard, clothes and other textiles into the claret bags.

Councillor Charles Bullas, executive member for community safety, said: "We are very excited to be given the opportunity to expand our kerbside recycling scheme.

"This will give everyone the opportunity to do their bit for the environment without the need to use the car to take their recycling to one of our recycling centres.

"Hopefully a large amount of our residents will take part in the scheme and make it such a success we can continue it in the future."