A FURTHER 4,000 households have been sent "brown" recycling bins on the first anniversary of Bury Council's garden waste collection scheme.

Some 3,500 tonnes of waste have been composted and used to improve agricultural land since the scheme was launched last August.

Brown bins were originally delivered to 28,000 homes across the borough, with another 10,000 added following additional Government money. The latest extension covers houses in Tottington, Holcombe Brook and Summerseat.

Mr Mike Savage, borough operational services officer, said: "This is playing a key part in our recycling programme, although we can only use every tonne of this valuable resource if it is free from contamination. This can only be achieved by residents ensuring that the brown bin is used only for garden waste."