RECYCLING champions Eastleigh are set to spread the green message across the borough.

A pilot scheme to collect organic waste from homes in Chandler's Ford has been such a success bosses are preparing to introduce it for all borough residents.

Councillors of the Eastleigh executive will meet tomorrow night to decide whether or not to give the plan the go-ahead.

They are being recommended to approve the release of £590,000 of funding from the Community Investment Programme to fund the scheme.

About 30 per cent of households in Chandler's Ford currently subscribe to the £12 service where lorries collect garden and organic matter from their doorsteps in large green sacks.

Eastleigh is already leading the country in recycling with 27 per cent of all waste collected from households currently being reused.

But now the government has imposed the even higher target of 40 per cent to be met by the end of 2005. Officers hope the new green scheme, likely to be introduced in two stages in June and September next year, will add five per cent to the current figures.

Executive member for the environment Louise Bloom was optimistic the scheme would be well received after the pilot in Chandler's Ford exceeded all expectations.

She admitted take-up was likely to be less in other areas but said the waste collection depot was fielding calls daily from residents around the borough asking when they would be included on the system.

She said: "The trial has undoubtedly been a huge success and the fact we're getting calls from people in Burlsedon, Hamble, Netley and other places asking when they're going to be included in the scheme is a clear indication of future success."