WORCESTERSHIRE has top-ped the West Midlands for recycling more household waste than any other county.

Last year, the county recycled 13.8 per cent of its household waste - a big leap from the 9.9 per cent recycled the year before.

But more still needs to be done, saisd Worcester City Council's head of environmental services Mike Harrison.

"We must not get complacent as the Government will be increasing the targets next year," he said.

"But this is great news and thank you to everyone who is getting involved in recycling."

Mr Harrison said that Worcester City Council doubled its recycling rates last year from eight per cent to 16 per cent, but thought hitting the Government's 24 per cent target this year could be a challenge.

"We have given people all the services to recycle now, so the hard bit is getting more people to take it up.

"We will be sending people out door-knocking soon, trying to encourage more people to get involved, so hopefully we can stay on top."

Items recycled included cardboard and paper, glass, textiles aluminium, plastic, fridges and freezers and garden waste. However, Worcestershire still does not come near the top 10 authorities, which recycled between 18 and 20 per cent.

Bath and North East Somerset topped the English list, recycling 20.6 per cent of its waste.

The table has been published by GMB, Britain's General Union, from data supplied by councils to the Audit Commission.

Herefordshire follows closely behind Worcestershire in the Midlands league, recycling 13.6 per cent, a 3.2 per cent increase on the year before.

The bottom of the Midlands table is Wolverhampton, recycling just 4.2 per cent of its waste.