Dustcarts head for Tblisi

Bristol is making a gift of 20 of its dustcarts

Some of Bristol's dustcarts could soon be collecting rubbish on the streets of Tblisi, the capital of Georgia.

Twenty of Bristol's oldest refuse lorries are to be shipped out to the former Soviet Union as an unusual gift.

They will be used to help replace the ramshackle fleet in Tblisi, Bristol's twin city.

The lorries, which cost £110,000 new, no longer meet UK standards.

But they could operate for several years in Tblisi.

Dave Swire from Sita, the company that runs Bristol's refuse collections, said: "Currently they are operating some pretty primitive vehicles.

"They have been here and seen the vehicles and they are happy with them.

"We are extending their life and doing some good for the people of Tblisi."