TEST Valley is going greener with recycling rates on the increase following the introduction of the council's garden waste collection.

The scheme initially sparked controversy when it was introduced in May last year to replace the green waste wheeled bins.

Residents were furious at having to pay up to £15 for a garden waste sack on top of paying their council tax.

However, more than 10,000 Test Valley households signed up to have the durable green bags emptied of vegetable peelings, lawn cuttings and leaves every fortnight.

Now council bosses are reporting a rise in recycling rates of eight per cent since May.

Nearly 1,500 tonnes of garden waste were collected from May to November 2004 during more than 170,000 collections - and 20 per cent was recycled.

However, it is still a long way short of the government target the borough council has been set. Test Valley environment boss Councillor Tony Jackson said: "We are delighted that recycling rates in the borough are improving, but there is still some way to go.

"The government has set us a target recycling rate of 30 per cent by March 2006. The garden waste collection service is just one initiative which will help us achieve our recycling target, so reducing the amount of waste dumped in landfill sites."

He added that only 381 of the green bags have had to be replaced through wear and tear - and from May, households will be offered the chance to have 60 litres of compost instead of a £5 discount.

The price for the waste collection service will stay at the 2004 price of £20.