WEST Devon has topped the county league by saving more than a quarter of its waste for recycling, new figures have just revealed.

Residents of the borough are not only the top recyclers in Devon, but are among the best in the country, according to the latest council performance statistics.

And there?s less rubbish from the borough too ? the people of West Devon produce less waste per head than anywhere else in the county, reducing the amount of waste it buries, or land fills, by more than 7%.

Cllr Paul Ridgers, chairman of the council?s environment and health committee, said: ?West Devon is top of the league for the environment. I congratulate the residents of the borough on this big effort.

?It shows how the council and the people of West Devon are working together a lot more efficiently than in most other parts of England.?

The performance figures also show that the council is doing well in other areas of its work.

It has significantly improved its speed and efficiency in dealing with planning applications, meeting Government-set targets and ranking the planning department as one of the best in the country.

Council tax and business rate collection and the processing of new benefit claims is also among the most efficient in comparison with other district councils.

The new figures come hard on the heels of a Government survey of West Devon people, which show that levels of satisfaction with the borough council and its services are among the highest in the country.

The survey was sent out to a cross-section of 3,000 residents in West Devon in autumn 2003.

Just over 60% said they were satisfied with the way West Devon Borough Council runs its services ? the second highest rating in Devon.

Cllr Dick Eberlie, chairman of the council?s policy and resources committee, said: ?The council?s first duty is to provide high quality services to our residents. We are delighted these figures justify the work we do.

?We are determined to focus our efforts in improving our services. We have set ourselves ambitious targets, but we know many people feel they are important.

?Alongside these services, we are working on our key priorities so far as funds allow ? economic prosperity, decent housing, community life and recycling.

?These are areas where the council wants to make a contribution to the quality of life of people who live here.

?We know where we are going. It is good news that local residents seem to share our aims.?