A pilot kerbside collection scheme has been set up in the south of the city.

Rubbish is sorted into paper, glass and aluminium and left outside homes for collection.

If the scheme is successful, it will be extended to 100,000 households next year.

Councillor Flo Clucas, executive member for the environment at the city council, said: "This is a real grassroots and community-based initiative which will boost our rate of recycling.

"Traditionally, like most other cities, we have not had a good record in this area, but we are making considerable efforts to improve the situation."

The number of recycling sites in the city is also to be doubled.