COUNCIL chiefs in the New Forest have warned that wheelie bins could be introduced after all unless residents recycle more of their rubbish.

Last week members of the district council voted against the introduction of wheelie bins after describing them as ugly, expensive and unpopular.

They agreed that householders should be issued with a larger number of clear plastic sacks in an alternative attempt to boost recycling rates.

However, council leader Mel Kendal has announced that the situation will be reviewed in six months' time.

He warned that any failure to increase recycling would result in a multi-option referendum that could include the use of wheelie bins.

Michael Thierry, Cabinet member for environment, said every home in the Forest needed to become a mini recycling centre.

He added: "It's inevitable that when they go shopping people will bring home some rubbish but the important aspect is that any rubbish that can be recycled is recycled."

Cllr Thierry's comments follow a meeting of the council's environment review panel.

Members debated the option of issuing every household in the district with two wheelie bins - one for recycables and the other for non-recycables.

However, they agreed to maintain the present system, which involves residents placing recycables in clear plastic sacks and non-recycables in pink bags.

Both types of rubbish are collected at the same time, whereas they would be picked up on alternate weeks if wheelie bins were introduced.

The changeover would cost more than £2m as well as proving highly controversial.

A report to the panel said: "The significance of introducing wheeled bins should not be underestimated. On collection days there would be an inevitable impact on the street scene, which in areas with restricted bin storage capacity could be exacerbated."