A COUNCIL could save £74,000 a year if it introduces wheelie bins.

Hyndburn Council has been urged to catch up with its neighbours in Blackburn with Darwen and Rossendale and issue wheelie bins to residents.

Although an initial outlay of £64,000 would be needed to provide bins, as well as £42,000 to modify dustbin trucks, officers anticipate the plan would save £74,000 because it wouldn't have to issue bin bags.

Councillors have agreed to wait until Lancashire County Council finishes producing its Waste Strategy amid fears the introduction of wheelie bins could be seen as counterproductive.

Coun Sandra Hayes, in her capacity as cabinet member with the cleansing and transportation portfolio presented a report on the issue at a meeting of Hyndburn Council's cabinet.

The report was launched in 1999 after complaints from residents about the problems of the traditional black-bag system, which often left streets covered in rubbish after sacks were ripped.

Her report stated: "We have carried out a detailed appraisal of the wheel bin system and officers feel the introduction of this type of collection method would have significant benefits.

"However, we have yet to see the National and Lancashire Waste Strategies which will affect the way domestic waste is collected in order to meet the challenging targets set for recycling and reducing landfill.

"One of their possible suggestions made be the introduction of a three-bin system for green waste, recyclables and traditional refuse.

"It may be seen as counterproductive to encouraging recycling by asking residents to get used to putting their rubbish all in one bin."

Councillors agreed to take a decision on the issue later this year, once they had read the waste strategy.

Councillors will also study a best value report into the way the collection service is run to see where else improvements can be made.