WEST Dorset council tax payers face huge rises to pay for increased rubbish recycling.

The district council is considering the measures after it was told to increase its collection of recycled goods from houses from nine per cent to 27 per cent by 2006.

Dr David Evans, planning director, warned of potential council tax increases to fund greater use of home recycling boxes.

He said to provide a green box for paper, glass and cans to be collected fortnightly at all district homes would put an extra £23 on bills.

But he added this would only take the council up to 22.5 per cent - 4.5 per cent below its target.

Dr Evans said: "It is going to take quite a lot of effort to get to these targets by 2006.

"It is not an easy target to reach."

He added: "We need ideas from people. It all depends on their willingness to take part."

West Dorset District Council collects recycled goods, but Dorset County Council has responsibility for disposing of them.

Dr Evans warned of the new targets at the latest Dorchester area forum at the Corn Exchange.

He claimed the county needed two new recycling centre at Bridport and Sherborne to boost the work of those in Crossways and Hurn.

He said: "The principal cost is haulage.

"We need to minimise the haulage distance and maximise efficiency."

He added: "There are difficulties finding a site in Bridport.

"There is a good site in Sherborne and it could come on stream first.

"Then there would be improvements to Crossways and the Bridport site would be next."

Dr Evans said there would need to be a big investment in trucks and recycling centres.

Members of Dorset County Council's cabinet committee have also protested about the new targets imposed.

They claimed the new targets were unfair as the council had done well previously but other authorities with poor records had been given lower targets.