Unwanted textiles will be collected from the kerbside for recycling as part of a new trial in Diss.

More than 3,000 residents are taking part in the South Norfolk Council pilot scheme which started on Thursday, May 11.

The council hopes this new initiative will reduce the high amount of textiles that currently go in the recycling and rubbish bins.

It says that 63pc of green recycling bins collected by the council contain textiles which cannot be sorted or separated and end up as waste.

Furthermore, 1,000 tonnes of textiles, which could be recycled, go into the black rubbish bin each year.

Properties taking part will be given white textile recycling bags and a leaflet which will let them know what items can be recycled and how the service works.

Acceptable materials include items such as clothing, shoes, handbags, belts and household linens.

The bags can then be put alongside their green recycling bins and will be collected on their usual recycling collection day.

Any items of clothing in good condition should continue to be donated to local charity shops for reuse.

If the trial is successful, the scheme could be rolled out across the district.