A waste depot in Hove hopes to expand its operation to boost the city's recycling rates.

The plant in Leighton Road, which is run on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council by Onyx South Downs, deals with 18,000 tonnes of rubbish every year.

With the council phasing in a fleet of new recycling lorries, known as Terbergers, depot managers are seeking planning permission to increase the plant's operating capacity to up to 40,000 tonnes a year.

Onyx has also applied for permission to increase the number of hours HGVs and mechanical shovels and loaders can be used.

Managing director Alastair Pettigrew said the company had undertaken traffic and noise studies before putting forward its proposal.

He said: "We are trying to broaden the working hours at the plant so we can accommodate recycling vehicles from the city council and help them to gradually improve their recycling performance."

If given the go-ahead, the expansion will only be a short-term measure. Onyx is preparing a planning application for a new recycling facility in Hollingdean.

At present, East Sussex recycles 20 per cent of household waste. The Government has set the county a target of recycling 33 per cent by 2015.

Onyx recently spent £1 million on a fleet of environmentally-friendly trucks.