WEST Parley residents are being asked to get behind a campaign and recycle more, cutting the waste that ends up in landfill.

The village residents' association has created one of the first community-driven campaigns in the district.

All 1,500 houses are receiving a leaflet, asking them to get involved and suggesting ways of recycling more, and there are posters advertising the scheme in local shops.

John Cullen, the committee member who is driving the campaign, said they decided to act after seeing litter bags lining the streets on refuse collection day.

He believes a lot of what is being thrown out could be recycled and composted, and as well as helping the environment, they aim to reduce the amount put into the ground or having to go to waste plants.

"We have shown in two earlier trials that residents can dramatically increase their recycling if they are encouraged and given some help," he said.

"Now we are going to try it on a community wide scale."

The campaign is being supported by East Dorset District and Dorset County councils, and local organisations such as the Townswomen's Guild, the Women's Institute and East Dorset Friends of the Earth.

Residents will have the opportunity to replace council recycling boxes and the team will go door to door to encourage people to get involved.

Gemma Coles, the waste reduction manager at East Dorset District Council, said: "East Dorset District Council is pleased to support West Parley Residents' Association in taking this unique step.

"The council runs continuing campaigns that promote the three Rs - reduce, reuse, recycle - and this community initiative will help highlight this message.

"The majority of residents in East Dorset have embraced the concept of waste reduction but improvements are always possible. If the scheme proves successful, the council will encourage other residents' associations in the district to follow suit."

Louise Colclough, Dorset County Council's waste policy manager, said the community-led initiative could have implications across Dorset.