SHOPPERS in Nelson were today being encouraged to join a war on waste at an exhibition in the Pendle Rise Shopping Centre.

The event was part of the European Union's Community Economic Development programme and up to £400,000 of European cash from Pendle Partnership has been made available to support innovative recycling ideas in the least affluent parts of Pendle.

Event organiser Asfan Khan said he hopes the exhibition will prompt local people to come up with good ideas for recycling.

He said: "We want to know what people think about waste and how it should be recycled or reused. We will then try and turn good ideas into workable projects eligible for European funding. We'll be asking questions like can anyone think of a good way of making money out of recycling old car tyres, for instance."

A number of local organisations were expected at the centre today including Groundwork East Lancashire, Sure Start, Open Door Furniture Recycling, Pendle Pride and Pendle Borough Council's recycling officer, Lancashire County Council and the Chartered Institute of Waste Management.

The At War With Waste exhibition was arranged for between 11am and 4pm. Anyone who was not able to visit the exhibition can contact Asfan on 01282 661705 or 07747764704 with their ideas.