FUNDING to maintain recycling facilities for 2,000 York homes looks set to get the green light from councillors.

The Friends Of St Nicholas Fields currently carry out kerbside recycling for 3,300 properties in York.

City of York Council has been asked to contribute an extra £6,500 for the period of July 2007 to March 2008, to continue collections from 2,000 of these homes which are currently financed by a scheme which is due to stop at the end of this year.

In a report due to go before the council's executive member for neighbourhood services and advisory panel on Thursday, Geoff Derham, head of waste services, said: "Approval of this scheme will guarantee that 2,000 residents in South Bank, Clementhorpe and Heslington Road can continue to be provided with a kerbside recycling collection.

"It is estimated providing kerbside recycling during January, February and March to these properties will divert 48 tonnes of recyclable waste from landfill."

Meanwhile, tomorrow is Big Recycle Day at St Nicholas Fields, in Tang Hall.

Members of the public are invited to join in a recycling extravaganza at the York Environment Centre, from 1pm to 4pm.

There will also be junk sculpture making with Jo Pullar, from Space 109, in Walmgate, Rag Rugs, with Belinda and Hilde, Junk Juggling with children's entertainer Professor Fiddlesticks, and composting demonstrations.

There will also be a junk swap - a chance for people to exchange household and garden items.

John Brierley, project co-ordinator at St Nicholas Fields, said: "The junk swap is a fantastic idea. Although still quite rare in the UK, junk swaps are popular in other countries like Germany, the Netherlands and Canada.

"The aim of the event is to promote the idea things can be reused rather than being thrown away into landfill and to do it in a fun way.

"Just bring along your unwanted items and pick up something you do want."