A free scheme making it easier for residents in Newhaven to recycle their household waste is being launched as an experiment.

Kerbside recycling is being offered to selected homes this month as part of a pilot scheme run by Lewes District Council.

It follows the success of a similar trial in Lewes during April.

Box It! leaflets inviting people to join the scheme will go out to 1,250 households.

The number of properties eligible will be expanded in Lewes and Newhaven during the year.

Once householders agree to join, they will be given two collection boxes and asked to collect newspapers, magazines, junk mail, food and drink cans, plastic bottles and clean foil.

The boxes will be collected by new recruits to the council's recycling team Lisa Turner and Lorne Baker.

The pair will make their fortnightly collections in an environmentally-friendly vehicle, which has been adapted to reduce exhaust emissions.

Areas initially covered by the scheme will include the Gibbon Road area on Mondays, the Valley area on Tuesdays, the Augustfields area on Wednesdays and the Denton area on Thursdays and Fridays.

Councillor Julie Carr, Cabinet member with responsibility for the environment, said: "With landfill sites becoming full and incineration a threat on the horizon, recycling has a very important part to play in managing waste.

"I urge Newhaven residents to take this opportunity of showing how committed they are to recycling waste by signing up for the scheme. It's green and it's free."

To find out more, call the team on 01273 486619 or email kerbside@lewes.gov.uk