RECYCLE or face the consequences. That's the warning to Fareham residents who have been given three months to change their ways or face having their rubbish collected every two weeks.

Civic chiefs have agreed to the stay of execution, but say they will be forced into changes if recycling figures do not improve.

Households must double their recycling levels to help the borough meet a strict government-set target of 40 per cent by 2005/6, otherwise Fareham Council will face tough financial penalties and have its performance rating downgraded.

According to last year's figures, 21.15 percent of rubbish was recycled in the borough, just a 3.75 per cent increase on figures in 2000.

If there is no significant change after the three-month trial, the council will switch to an alternate weekly collection system in a bid to encourage recycling.

Normal household waste would be collected once every two weeks, with recyclables being collected on the alternate week.

The changes could also mean the introduction of a garden waste collection service, which will now be excluded from green household waste bins.

Health boss Councillor Brian Bayford has called for a final push towards recycling goals.

He said: "It's time to grasp the nettle and take action on the problem.

"If people are not prepared to recycle we will have to use our resources, both staff and financial, to achieve the targets.

"But the public really do need to help us reach our goal."

Environment portfolio holder Councillor Leslie Keeble also spoke out at a meeting of Fareham's executive committee last night.

He believes meeting recycling targets could save the council £80,000 and stop council tax being increased by about two per cent.