A NEW street bin scheme has been launched in Bolton to encourage shoppers to recycle rubbish in the town centre.

Three bins - one for glass, cans and plastic bottles, one for paper and another for general litter - have been installed in Oxford Street.

And a second set of bins is due to be placed at Bolton Bus Interchange in Newport Street, with more planned if the scheme proves successful.

Councillor Elaine Sherrington, Bolton Council's executive member for recycling, said: "We hope this new initiative will encourage even more recycling.

"We are very pleased with the way people in Bolton are taking on the recycling agenda and we hope this will improve not only their ability to be able to recycle but also help keep the streets clean."

Seven-year-old Jordan Wilford, from Westhoughton, and her brother and sister, five-year-old twins Ethan and Halle, showed off their green credentials at the launch of the scheme and carefully disposed of their litter in the correct bins.

Mum Natasha said: "These bins are an excellent idea. We recycle at home, so it makes sense to recycle rubbish when you're outside as well.

"The children already know what rubbish goes in which bins at home. Even at their age they understand the importance of recycling and how it can benefit the environment"

The new bins are a boost to The Bolton News' Bin it for Bolton 2007 campaign. We are calling on members of the public to help keep the streets of the town centre and their neighbourhoods clean and tidy.

The bins have been supplied free of charge by Staffordshire-based street furniture company Broxap Ltd.

A council spokesman said: "We will be monitoring the impact of the scheme and will consider extending it if it proves successful."