Increase in residents who recycle

There has been an increase in the number of green-minded residents in Portsmouth who recycle, new figures reveal.

More than 84% of households surveyed by an independent watchdog for Portsmouth City Council said that they recycled.

This is a 10% boost in numbers compared with the same survey carried out two years ago.

Environmental company Waste Watch monitored the collections of 66,000 homes and 20,000 flats.

Councillor Eleanor Scott, executive member for environment, said: "It's even more encouraging to see such a high number of households recycling because Portsmouth's scheme is voluntary, unlike other authorities who run compulsory fortnightly bin collections."