WEST Devon has won a share of a £1.1 million financial package from the Government to raise awareness of its recycling initiatives.

The successful bid means the borough council can now move forward with a countywide campaign aimed at increasing the rate of recycling.

West Devon is among nine district authorities on the influential Devon Authorities Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee.

For a number of years the committee has worked in partnership to encourage recycling, develop new initiatives and reduce waste.

The committee put forward a bid for a share of a £140 million Government recycling fund for an initiative called the Devon Doorstepping Project earlier this year.

The scheme is designed to achieve higher recycling rates through a publicity campaign and via a survey collecting vital information on current kerbside recycling collections.

The funding comes just seven months after West Devon launched its own weekly 'Green Box' kerbside collection.

Helen Dobby, West Devon's contracts manager, said the money has been won at a critical time for the council.

She said: 'Our recycling scheme is still in its first year and the data collected through the Doorstepping Project will help us to find out how it is progressing.

'We hope to gain valuable information on how many people are recycling, and on the materials which are recycled. The survey will also help us to find out who doesn't yet recycle and what we can do to encourage them.

Ms Dobby said the funding will help the council see what West Devon residents think of the service it offers, ensuring it can be continually improved.

Currently, with more than 21,000 green recycling boxes in circulation, about 18 per cent of waste - including glass, paper, cans, newspapers, and card - is being recycled in West Devon.

Government set figures mean that West Devon must hit a recycling target of 36 per cent by 2006.

Cllr Richard Phillips, West Devon mayor, said: 'Winning the bid is great news. We now have the opportunity to move forward and investigate alternative methods for recycling in West Devon.'