RESIDENTS in the Ribble Valley are being asked to boost recycling in the borough with battery power.

Ribble Valley Council has put battery recycling bins in place to help tackle pollution, which is caused when batteries are discarded in landfill.

Tough new targets mean the UK has to increase battery recycling from the current 2.8 per cent to 25 per cent by the end of 2012 and 45 per cent – a total of 200 million batteries – by 2016.

Robert Thompson, chairman of the council’s community services committee, said: "Recycling batteries stops them going to landfill.

“And it also recovers thousands of tonnes of metals.

“Thereby reducing the need to mine new materials and safeguarding the environment.

“But we will have to work together if we are to meet these new targets.

“And I am calling on Ribble Valley residents to do their bit by recycling their old batteries.”

Battery recycling bins are available for use at the following Ribble Valley venues.

Ribble Valley Council Offices, in Church Walk, Clitheroe, Ribble Valley Homes, in Station Road, Clitheroe, Ribblesdale Pool in Edisford Road, Clitheroe, and the Old Station Buildings, in Berry Lane, Longridge.