RECYCLING chiefs are trying to boost Bury's flagging "white bag" waste paper scheme by going into schools.

They admit that the amount of paper collected fortnightly from people's front doors has dropped.

Now they want to promote recycling among pupils in the hope that their parents will also get the message.

Councillor Steve Perkins said that the tonnage collected over the last few occasions through the scheme had fallen.

Both Greater Manchester Waste, which runs the fortnightly pick-ups, and Shotton Paper Mill, which receives the paper, are to have a publicity drive.

They will send out more leaflets to areas where participation is low. A campaign will also be launched in schools including offering prizes to increase awareness among children.

Coun Perkins said: "Research has shown that if children get on board with recycling, their parents get interested as well."

Lib Dem councillor Tim Pickstone said the service might be "flagging" because the white bags are not emptied every week along with the regular wheelie bins.

However, Coun Perkins told the council that the costs had to be balanced against the volume of material collected.

"To go up to a weekly collection would double the cost but not double the amount of paper collected," he said.