RESIDENTS in deprived wards of Pendle will be encouraged to recycle their rubbish next week as part of a £96,000 government-funded scheme.

More than 8,000 properties in Bradley, Walverden, Whitefield and Brierfield wards will be targeted in the scheme which aims to encourage greater recycling of household waste, such as cans and plastic bottles.

It is hoped that by encouraging residents to think more carefully about their waste, less will go to the landfill sites.

Householders have been given blue bags for plastic bottles and pink bags for mixed cans and the council will make a weekly collection of both at no charge to the householder. The scheme will kick off in Bradley on Monday before being taken on in Walverden and Whitefield on Monday, November 4 and Brierfield from Monday, November 18.

Denise Bell, the council's recycling officer, said: "Our recent Best Value review highlighted that the council needed to do more to encourage recycling among residents in the four deprived wards of the borough.

"This is the first of a number of steps that the council is taking to respond to this issue."

A leaflet explaining the scheme is currently being delivered to each of the properties in the four wards.

Coun John David, the council's portfolio holder for the environment, said: "There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the amount of waste which goes to landfill sites can be significantly reduced when householders change their behaviour slightly and start to recycle more of their household waste.

"I hope that residents will support the scheme and help to make it a success."