ECO-FRIENDLY borough residents have bought more than 3,000 cut-price compost bins so far this year.

Figures released by Hampshire County Council show that Basingstoke and Deane is now top of the composting table in Hampshire after sales soared.

Residents have so far bought 1,000 more of the reduced-price bins through the Recycle Now Home Composting Campaign than the next highest performing district, East Hampshire.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council used its magazine, Basingstoke and Deane Today, to publicise the scheme, which was also featured in The Gazette.

Council bosses hope increased composting will cut down on the total amount of waste collected in the borough and raise the recycling rate, which currently stands at 22 per cent.

The borough council's environment chief, Councillor Elaine Still, said: "It is fantastic that more Basingstoke and Deane residents are composting.

"We are keen to promote this recycling initiative and we are delighted at such a borough-wide response.

"Home composting is a great way to provide a soil improver for your garden.

"It also helps to reduce the amount of waste we throw away, meaning a better environment for everyone.

"We are so thrilled with the number of residents who are composting and want to encourage more residents to get involved."

For more information on home composting and how to get a cut-price bin, visit www.recycle now.com/compost