A TRIAL glass collection service across parts of the Eastleigh borough has proved such a success that civic chiefs are looking to extend it.

Since its introduction to 20,000 households in December, the scheme has collected more than 180 tonnes of glass bottles and jars for recycling. Residents are issued with a box which is collected monthly for repressing at Midland Glass in Southampton

The introduction of the two-year trial was possible through government funding but, now the council is looking at plans that could extend the service to a further 10,000 households this summer.

Executive councillor for environment Louise Bloom said: "Once again the borough's residents have made an excellent recycling effort and the glass collection service has proved really successful.

"Extending the scheme to other areas of the borough will certainly help Eastleigh achieve its 40 per cent recycling target

rate by 2006."

At present parts of Chandler's Ford and Eastleigh, most of Hedge End, part of Netley, some of Bursledon and most of Hamble are included in the glass collection scheme. Areas likely to be included in the extended collection service are West End, Fair Oak, Horton Heath and parts of Bishopstoke.