Recycling rate increase revealed

The amount of waste in Shropshire sent for recycling or composting has risen by more than 3,000 tonnes.

Shropshire Council area residents recycled or composted 47.57% of their household waste in the year to March.

Official government figures have shown this compared with 43.5% in the previous year, the council said.

More than 71,500 tonnes of waste produced in its area in 2008/09 was sent for recycling or composting - 3,100 tonnes more than last year.

Each former district council area of Shropshire improved its performance compared with the previous year.