COUNCIL bosses have unveiled the areas which are to pilot a waste revolution in Blackburn by making residents recycle their rubbish.

Around 12,000 homes will be included in the first phase of a new scheme which involves householders having to split their waste into three different containers.

A two-week rota of bin collections will be introduced from April 28. On the first week, the two new bins provided for recyclable items will be emptied, while on the second week the non-recycable items bin will be emptied.

Two new bins will be provided at homes.

One is for 'wet recycables' such as leaves, branches and grass cuttings while the other is for 'dry recycables' such as paper, glass and cans.

Coun Andy Kay, whose regeneration portfolio includes recycling, said today that people who do not follow the new rules will not have their bins emptied.

People living in the Hoddlesden, Pole Lane/Priory Drive, Spring Vale/Garden Village and Jack's Key estate in Darwen will be included in the first phase.

In Blackburn, people living in Gib Lane, Feniscowles, Heys Lane, Oakdale and Fernhurst Farm estates, Beardwood, Four Lane Ends and Pleckgate, Buncer Lane, Brownhill and Sunnybower will all be included in phase one.

Coun Kay said: "Cost and legislation are forcing councils to move away from burying rubbish.

"We want to avoid incineration as a solution, so we need to make sure more of our waste is recycled.

"Consultation with residents has shown that many want to recycle their waste but want a collection service from their homes rather than having to go to a recycling centre." A further 6,000 homes will join the scheme later in the year.