RECYCLING in Pendle is about to be extended again - with residents being urged to back the new scheme.

The controversial doorstep collection scheme for recycling, which began in 2005, will now include red bags for old clothes and other textile items.

Residents will be able to put out green garden waste bins, green boxes for glass, cans and paper, blue bags for plastic bottles and the new red bags on recycling collection days.

People had previously been asked to put unwanted clothing in their green boxes, but this has caused problems with contamination from can and bottle residues, making it difficult to recycle them.

The new bags will be distributed in the next few days, and collection will begin on Monday.

Pendle Council constantly reviews its recycling scheme to help meet the borough's waste reduction targets, and research shows that the average household bin contains around 10 per cent unwanted textiles.

Pendle Council's waste management co-ordinator Carole Taylor said: "We are doing our bit as part of a national campaign, Recycle Now week, to encourage people to recycle more household waste.

"Clear out your clutter and improve the environment by reducing the amount of rubbish which piles up in landfills.

"If you don't have any textiles for recycling on each collection day, just keep hold of the red sack and use it when you have enough to recycle."

Councillor John David, executive member for the environment, said: "The good news is you can put your unwanted clothing, bedding, curtains, paired shoes, handbags and belts into the red sacks to be recycled.

"I'm happy to say that even the red bags are recycled!"

To help residents with the change, the council has set up a textile collection helpline on 0870 872 5066.