ANEW European Union ruling which restricts the disposal of old fridges should not result in the frightening prospect of a "fridge mountain", claims a top environmental group.

E If the Government honours its pledge to help local councils, the public will not be inconvenienced by this new environment protecting legislation, Keep Britain Tidy says.

There had been fears that the new law could encourage fly-tipping, particularly when it was revealed that major retailers may refuse to take away old fridges when they deliver new appliances to their customers.

But the Keep Britain Tidy group says that the Government's promise to address the potential problem of tipping, following the legislation's implementation, will help prevent a build-up of discarded white goods.

The Government has talked about providing councils with extra funding to the tune of £50 million for discarded fridge storage, ensuring the public will still be able to safely dispose of appliances through their local council.

Locally, there should not be a major problem, claims a spokesman for Bolton Council, as the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal authority should continue to deal with the disposal of fridges in the Bolton area.

Householders in Bolton will continue to ring the council when they want to rid themselves of large household items, including fridges, and they will be collected, the spokesman added. The Greater Manchester Waste Disposal authority then takes over responsibility.

But a spokesman for the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal said that the authority could not comment as the implications of the legislation were not yet known.

The new law comes into effect on January 1 next year and insists on the removal of all CFCs from foam insulation in fridges, because they are known to damage the ozone layer.

It follows the requirement some years ago that CFCs be removed from the mechanism at the back of fridges, again because of fears for the ozone layer.

This latest news comes in a week when the Government is also coming under pressure to encourage more productive waste recycling and reduce the need for incinerators.

FRIENDS of the Earth and Greenpeace have called for a better recycling record from this country as ministers debate the problem of Britain's rubbish at a conference in London.

The fridge problem could start as early as the end of the month when, from November 30, no scrapyard or recycling centre will be allowed to accept an old fridge if it contains CFCs. Add to that the potential dilemma caused by retailers not removing old fridges when they deliver new ones, and that means 2.5 million fridges could be discarded each year.

The Government would like them to go to specially-built plants. According to the Keep Britain Tidy group, plans are being made to introduce the plants by next spring.

Keep Britain Tidy spokesman Peter Gibson says: "Retailers are talking about not removing old fridges, but discussions are taking place and that could be resolved."

The Government is, says Mr Gibson, hoping to pump in £50 million to local authorities to help them deal with the disposal of fridges containing CFCs.

He says: "Although we were concerned when we first heard about this legislation, we are starting to feel more confident that the situation is being properly addressed."

Mr Gibson says that the motive behind the new legislation is "something we agree with" but admits that the major burden would fall on local councils. But, as Mr Gibson explains, the potential problem must be addressed to prevent the dangerous scenario of discarded fridges in open spaces.

"Old fridges are obviously a danger to children and it is important that they are not dumped in places where youngsters can find them."

IN theory, the fact that the Government is addressing the issue and looking at storage for the fridges is fine, but practically that still leaves several months in which unwanted fridges will have to be stored somewhere.

Some old, recycled fridges go on to the export market, but this will have to stop on January 1.

Consumers are being warned not to buy fridges which contain CFCs. Mr Gibson says there is a simple way to tell if a fridge contains the substances or not because CFC-free appliances will carry a label on the back with R12 inscribed on it.