HOUSEHOLDS are to be provided with either an additional wheelie bin or a larger one as part of Ryedale District Council's recycling scheme, following protests about the experimental collection system.

Coun Howard Keal told the authority's community services and licensing committee that he had received many complaints from families currently involved in the pilot scheme in the Norton area.

He said: "The alternate weekly collection may be good for the council's running costs, but its rubbish for the householders. For many families the situation is quite appalling". He said people were experiencing overflowing bins under the new system.

The committee agreed to a three-pronged improvement to the service.

Members decided families of five or more should be provided with a second or larger bin; two plastic bottle collection sites should be set up at the car parks in St Nicholas Street, Norton, and Wentworth Street, Malton; and that more refuse bins or bags should be made available. John Davison, the council's deputy chief executive, said: "It is about changing culture and educating in waste recycling," he said.

Coun Arthur Aslett suggested that the weekly collections should be retained in the summer months, but should be fortnightly in winter.

Updated: 10:43 Tuesday, July 22, 2003