WEST Devon is among the top ten recycling performers in country, according to official Government statistics.

The borough council's recycling rate is 59.9 percent, which puts it at number ten in league table for 2011/12 – a jump from 43, the previous year.

The annual figures, published by DEFRA, show how each council in England is performing when it comes to recycling, composting and reusing waste from households.

 West Devon is the best performer in Devon and has now made the English top ten for the first time. 

Cllr Robert Oxborough, the council's community services committee chairman, said: 'This is fantastic news and down to the commitment of residents.

'They have wholeheartedly supported our efforts to recycle and compost as much as possible. I think West Devon's attitude to recycling reflects our beautiful environment and the value we place on it.

'To jump from 43 to ten in the league table in a single year is a tremendous achievement and I hope, with the continued support of residents, we can be number one in the future.'

The borough's success in recycling means much less waste is being sent to landfill. There has been an 18% drop in landfill compared to the year before – that is 1,410 tonnes or the equivalent of 78 refuse trucks.

The increase in composting food waste also means more energy is being fed back into the national grid.

In addition, the more that is recycled, the less local residents have to pay in disposal costs.

The borough council introduced a new recycling and refuse service in 2010, in partnership with waste contractors, FCC Environment.  It has been shortlisted for several awards.