EAST Dorset's innovative Brown Bin composting scheme is to be extended this autumn with almost 8,000 more homes joining the initiative.

The district council launched the scheme in March to some 5,000 homes in Verwood. The next phase will include more houses in the town plus addresses at Three Legged Cross, St Leonards and St Ives, Ashley Heath, Avon Castle and West Moors.

The council's recycling team has been promoting the scheme to local residents.

Waste reduction manager Gemma Coles said: "The response from residents has been very positive. Most people understand that we cannot go on dumping household waste in landfill sites and that composting is a major step towards solving the problem."

The new 120 litre brown bins will be delivered to homes in the last week of September and the first week of October with collections commencing shortly afterwards.

Each house will receive a brown wheelie bin and a seven-litre kitchen caddie with one year's stock of compostable liners.

Cooked and uncooked meat and vegetable waste is put into the kitchen caddie which, in turn, is put into the wheelie bin along with thin card and soft green garden waste ready for collection.

Brown bin collection dates may vary from the normal black bag refuse collection dates but all households will be informed of the relevant dates.

First published: September 17