FAMILIES in North Lanarkshire will get an extra two special rubbish collections from April 1.

Each household will receive three, free special uplifts a year instead of one as part of a review of services.

North Lanarkshire Council says the service has also been improved, with most uplifts carried out within a week.

The council says it has experienced a massive increase in the amount of waste being recycled by residents.

Recycling has risen from 1040 tonnes in 2005/06 to 2475 tonnes per month in 2006/07.

In Wardpark in Cumbernauld, recycling rates have increased from 25% to 100% in three months.