THE world's first fully automated recycling machine will be unveiled at a Winchester supermarket today.

The gadget, due to open at Tesco's giant Winnall store, uses technology developed for space missions.

It has a unique object recognition system including near infrared spectroscopes and a camera to scan plastic, glass and aluminium.

It means the machine will automatically be able to tell what is being placed in it and divert it into the right container.

Tesco says the Norwegian-built machine will revolutionise the way consumers recycle. It's faster, cleaner, more efficient and easier to use than any recycling unit ever used in the UK.

Customers will even be able to get points on their store cards if they act green.

Winchester City Council says it welcomes the advancing technology especially if it encourages people to recycle.

But the move will cost the cash-strapped council about £7-8,000 a year in lost revenue as Tesco will keep the proceeds.

Rob Heathcock, the city council's head of health and waste management, said: "Overall we welcome it. This is state-of-the-art and groundbreaking stuff."

But he added that councillors want Tesco to be told about the impact on the council's own recycling efforts.

Mr Heathcock said it could be the start of a trend that sees council recycling facilities removed from other big supermarkets.

The city council operates about 60 recycling spots across the district.

The Tesco machine will replace normal recycling containers, which will be reused at other locations including the Worthy Lane car park.