TV chef urges end to food waste

Lesley Waters says leftovers can be used in new meals

A campaign to urge people in Dorset to waste less food is being launched by celebrity chef Lesley Waters.

West Dorset District Council's fleet of recycling and bin lorries will carry a banner with the message: "We bin a third of food we buy."

Ms Waters, who lives in west Dorset where she also runs a cookery school, will unveil the new look lorries in Dorchester on 4 August.

The council will also issue advice leaflets to help shoppers reduce waste.

Ms Waters said: "No one would come home from shopping and put a third of their food in the bin, and yet research shows that on average this is what we are all doing.

"The trick is to try and plan meals before you go shopping, as this way you can shop wisely and avoid impulse buying things which aren't needed and won't get eaten.

"It is sobering to think that the average family could save more than £600 a year simply by reducing their food waste.

"Don't forget that leftovers are ingredients and can often be simply transformed into new meals."

Robert Gould, leader of West Dorset District Council, said: "Food prices have been rising and we could all save money by shopping more carefully.

"Wasting food also damages the environment. Food in landfill is compacted so it doesn't compost, but releases methane, which contributes to global warming."