WASTE-WATCHERS in two Bro-msgrove streets found it was easier than they thought when they were asked to slash their trash to help the environment.

Eco-friendly residents in Perryfields Road and Perryfields Crescent, reduced their rubbish by almost half when they took part in the countywide Slim Your Bin campaign during October.

The Sidemoor householders managed to reduce their weekly waste by 48 per cent - from 43.1 kilograms in the first week to 20.7 kilograms by the end of the fourth week.

Cllr John Tidmarsh (Con, Stoke Prior), cabinet member responsible for environmental health on Bromsgrove District Council, congratulated everyone who took up the challenge and said: "They put a great deal of effort into the campaign and were extremely successful.

"They have vowed to continue their good work throughout 2002 and we hope everyone else in the district will follow their example and do the same to help us reduce Worcestershire's waste mountain."

During the month-long initiative, the families in both streets carefully measured their waste and kept a record of what they recycled, reduced and reused throughout the month.

The council's assistant environmental strategy officer, Richard Johnson, said: "Residents were amazed how easy it was and what little time and effort was needed to cut down on their waste.

"It really is easy to make a lot of difference - so please join our campaign by making it a resolution for the New Year."