COUNCIL bosses have vowed to introduce kerbside recycling to every home in Widnes and Runcorn by the end of the month in a bid to improve its dismal record.

While an average of 36.6 per cent of household waste is recycled in the north west, that figure is only 30 per cent in Halton.

Council bosses say they will increase this to 34 per cent by 2011 with the threat of millions of pounds of Government fines if it fails.

In a large push announced this week, 37,000 extra homes will join an incentive scheme to encourage recycling with bonuses paid to people who hit targets.

Clr Stef Nelson, Halton Council’s executive board member for recycling, said: “We would like to thank residents for all their efforts which have seen recycling levels in Halton increase year on year.

“However, we need to keep increasing the amount of waste we recycle to help keep costs down. This service will make it easier for more residents to do so.

“Everyone benefits from recycling and we hope all residents make use of the recycling services provided by the council.’’ The extra kerbside collections will go to 9,000 homes and can be used for paper, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, cardboard, food and drink cans.

They are emptied fortnightly with black bins weekly.

As a result of the extension to the service, current blue bin collection days in some areas may change so residents are advised to watch out for a new calendar that will be delivered to them.

Residents who join the bonus scheme meanwhile could earn an average £135 worth of rewards in a typical year. That will be rolled out by next year.