SHARP knives have been found in rubbish bags meant for cardboard.

Shocked staff said they could have been cut or even stabbed by the blades which were put in Burnley Borough Council's new claret recycling bags.

Three knives, including a craft knife with fully extended blade and a kitchen knife, have been found by Biffa staff sorting cardboard and textiles.

Today, council chiefs warned of the dangers of putting knives in rubbish bags and reminded residents that the claret bags are only meant for clean cardboard and textiles.

Environment services manager Angela Culleton said: "On each occasion staff could have been seriously injured by a sharp blade left open in what is a thin plastic bag. They could have suffered cuts or stab wounds.

"I think people will agree that staff shouldn't be put in the position where their health and safety is at risk. For that reason any claret bags found with materials other than cardboard or textiles in them won't be collected."

Coun Denis Otter, Burnley Council's executive member for the environment, said: "These knives could have been found by anyone, including a young child who could easily think the knife was a toy and seriously injure themselves. People have to take responsibility for disposing of their rubbish responsibly and safely so that it doesn't cause a danger to others."

The claret bags were introduced in November 2005 and councillors said mixing other rubbish with cardboard and textiles means it has to be sifted out which, in the long term, could make the service more expensive to run.

Each household was given enough bags to last until April and recycling cardboard cuts down waste in wheelie bins.

Coun Otter added: "The vast majority of people are using the claret bags correctly and the system is working very well but we are getting a sizeable number of bags being used for the wrong purpose."