PEDAL power is to fuel a kerbside collection scheme for recyclable waste at a new housing development in York.

Residents at Olympian Court, off Hull Road, will benefit from a collection scheme for bottles, cans, paper and green waste as soon as they move into their homes.

Staff at the nearby St Nicholas Fields urban nature reserve are providing the service on new tricycles, which will visit their homes weekly to pick up waste.

York-based Persimmon Homes, which is building the 195-home development, have contributed £2,500 to give the project a kick-start.

Ian Hessay, managing director of Persimmon Homes, said: "It gives our home purchasers a unique opportunity to make a real contribution to environmental improvement.

"The fact that this is a local scheme adjacent to our showcase development means that people will be able to see the results of their recycling efforts clearly."

John Brierley, recycling officer for the Friends of St Nicholas Fields, said residents would now benefit from a kerbside collection scheme as soon as they moved into their homes.

He said the scheme, which is independent of City of York Council, is making a significant contribution towards York's overall target for reducing the amount of waste going into landfill.

Updated: 08:37 Thursday, July 17, 2003