FREE compost is to be given away by a borough council as a thank-you to residents for recycling.

Hyndburn Council said it was grateful to the thousands of Hyndburn residents who regularly compost their garden waste.

The borough council have teamed up with Lancashire County Council to give away ten tonnes of compost on a first come, first served basis.

Last year, residents composted over 2300 tonnes, equivalent to 10 per cent of the total household waste or the weight of nearly 100 bin wagon loads.

Cabinet member for recycling Munsif Dad said: “Here in Hyndburn it’s vital that we compost as much as possible. Using compost made from garden waste also helps to preserve natural wetland.”

Residents should bring along their own bags, a maximum of three per household, to the council’s vehicle compound on Ranger Street opposite Willows Lane on Wednesday, August 1 between 10am and 2pm, where staff will be on hand to fill them up.