THE first nine of 50 new mini-recycling sites around the borough are up and running.

Another three could be open by Christmas, with the rest installed by next April.

Town hall bosses hope that the bins will lead to a much higher recycling rate: Bury, like many local authorities, lags behind national targets.Councillor Stella Smith, executive member for the environment, said: "We believe that these recycling centres, situated in the heart of communities, will make a difference. Residents will be able to take everything from glass to paper and cans. "Coupled with our kerbside waste paper collection scheme and other initiatives such as home composting, there are now more opportunities than ever for everyone to be environmentally friendly: and it hardly takes any effort."

Each of the new sites is sign-posted, provided with a litter bin and, where appropriate, screened.

Bosses will sell the material collected and use the money to subsidise more costly recycling schemes, such as plastics collection.

There are three sites in the south of the borough: near the Sherbourne Court near garages in Prestwich; Higher Lane/Fountain Place car park in Whitefield; and Lilyhill Street car park, Whitefield. There are three sites in Radcliffe and three in Bury.