PEOPLE are being asked to co-operate with a new household waste collection scheme in Pendle to make it a success.

Refuse collectors will collect bags from the front door rather than the back street during a pilot scheme in parts of the borough.

The scheme gets under way from October 2.

The change will allow larger, split-body refuse wagons to be used which will help Pendle meet Government-set targets for recycling.

The six-month trial will run in Brierfield, Reedley, Earby and Whitefield and Bradley wards in Nelson.

Collectops will not only pick up black bin bags for everyday rubbish but also different coloured bags for various types of recyclable materials such as cans, plastic and glass.

Householders affected have been told of the changes in a letter from Pendle Council. Homes outside the areas will continue with their weekly collection as normal.

Councillor Frank Clifford, chairman of the council's services committee, said: "We are asking for the co-operation of householders with this trial.

"This type of collection does already work in other parts of Britain and the objective is to collect refuse and recyclable materials together, in one collection, at the least cost to the local council tax payer."

The cost would rocket if the council made separate collections for ordinary and recyclable rubbish.

"I do not think anyone would claim that the proposal is ideal," added Coun Clifford. "There are problems associated with all methods of refuse collection but the trial will test the concept and it will quickly become evident if the problems outweigh the benefits."

Also from October 2 every household in Pendle will be limited to two black bin bags from the council per week to try to limit the amount of rubbish being buried in landfill sites.

The council is considering delivering bags on a six monthly supply basis, or 52 black sacks for rubbish, 13 green ones for paper and 13 pink for cans, from next April. A survey of residents found three-quarters thought it was a good idea.

The moves are part of efforts to meet recycling targets. The council currently recycles around 12 per cent of its waste, well ahead of the government target of nine per cent.

By 2005 25 per cent of waste must be recycled, 30 per cent by 2010 and 33 per cent by 2015.