HOME owners in Blackburn with Darwen could see waste paper collections from their doorstep within months according to the borough's housing chief.

The move is in response to increasing pressures from the government to increase the amount of household waste which is recycled and to reduce the reliance on landfill sites.

Mohammed Khan, Blackburn with Darwen's executive member for housing and neighbourhood services, said it was a "strong possibility" the service would be introduced this year.

A report to Blackburn with Darwen Council said the authority is "facing severe targets for reducing the amount of waste it sends to be landfilled".

In a bid to meet the targets the council has invited companies to bid for the contract to collect waste paper from homes across the borough. Coun Khan said: "I think it's important to look at how we can keep the neighbourhood clean, and how to educate people to be more environmentally friendly."

He said if this was made easier for people they would be more likely to make use of such a scheme.

Coun Khan said: "If people are aware that there is this service then they will be able to put their paper in bags outside their houses and know someone is coming to collect it."

People would be left coloured plastic bags for waste paper which would then be picked up by the contractor and taken to a recycling plant.

Council chiefs hope the cost of the scheme will be subsidised by savings in waste disposal costs and landfill taxes. So far no commitment has been made to any companies

Coun Khan said: "At the moment it's out for tender, and when that comes back the report will come to committee asking for approval. We could see it in place well before the end of the year."

He said: "This is part of the waste management strategy, and is something we have to try and see how best we can perform and deliver a clean borough."