THERE might not be many Beverley Hillbillies in Leigh, but there's plenty of black gold, thanks to a council initiative!

For just 16 months after the council installed oil recycling banks at four centres across the borough, over 13,000 gallons of waste engine oil have been recovered.

And Lanstar, the company responsible for its collection and turning it back into fuel oil, have forked out more than £1,400 in 'recycling royalties'. This cash alone has paid the cost of one of the recycling banks.

David Bullock, the council recycling officer, said: "The oil banks have been a big success and welcomed by many motorists. Before they were installed oil would frequently be flushed down the drain, or, worse, dumped on spare land. We forecast that the scheme would pay for itself before too long and that looks likely to be the case."

The four sites are at Slag Lane, Leigh, Chanters, Atherton, Wigan Road, Hindley, and Frog Lane, Wigan.

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