ONE of Hampshire's first environmentalists has been forced to stop recycling after scrap yards refuse to buy aluminium foil.

Over the past 50 years, eco-friendly Norman Hebdige, has collected 11 tonnes of foil, raising £4,000 for charity.

But to his amazement, in these so called environmentally-friendly times, the former Mayor of Winchester cannot find a scrap yard locally who will buy his aluminium foil to recycle.

So, Norman, of Oak Tree Gardens in Hedge End, has had to cease his collections. Instead he is asking people to contact the Queen Elizabeth Activity Centre in Hedge End, which collect it to raise money for work with people with special needs.

"It is a ridiculous situation. When it wasn't fashionable to recycle I could get rid of it easily but now when we have recycling rammed down our throats I can't get anyone to take it."

"Thank you to everyone for their support over many years."

Jeanette Stevens, from scrap yard merchants, James Huntley and Sons Ltd, said: "We take aluminium cans but not the foil because once it gets in the furnace it just goes up in smoke."

More details on where to take your aluminium foil can be found on the activity centre's website at qe2activitycentre.co.uk.