HOUSEHOLDS across Stourbridge and Dudley borough are a step closer to having kerbside collections to recycle plastic bottles and cardboard.

Dudley Council has branded a pilot scheme in Wordsley, Pedmore and Kingswinford as a "success" and the cabinet have decided to apply for Government funding to roll out the kerbside collections across the borough.

Dudley Council leader Councillor Les Jones is delighted with how residents responded to being given the chance to recycle more household waste.

He said: "Having had a chance to look at the result of the pilot schemes it is clear they have been an overwhelming success.

"I am pleased to say the cabinet has agreed to bid for Government funding to allow us to extend the schemes out to all households.

"We will roll out kerbside collections across the borough once the funding becomes available."

He added: "I am proud that, under Conservative control, our record on reducing the amount of waste being sent to landfill dumps and increasing the amount that is recycled puts us amongst the best performing council in the country."

Mike Wood, who has been campaigning for more recycling schemes in the borough, welcomed the cabinet's decision.

He said: "I am delighted that the council has agreed with me and the many local residents who I have spoken to over recent months that recycling of plastics and cardboard is a popular service that should be extended to all families as soon as possible.

He added: "If this bid is successful then it is likely that the roll-out could be completed by the end of next year. Otherwise, additional funding will need to be made available, which would mean a more gradual process."

Over 200 streets were included in the recycling pilot scheme across including Hagley Road, Pedmore Lane, Kingswood Road and Westminster Road.

Residents were given a blue bag for paper and cardboard, a green one for plastic bottles along with food and drink cans and black boxes are used for glass bottles and jars.