POLITICS is often said to be a dirty job, and the Liberal Democrats' deputy leader Alan Beith got his hands right into the muck to help launch the party's York environment campaign.

Mr Beith met York shadow executive member for the environment, Andrew Waller, and election candidate for Heslington, Ceredig Jamieson-Ball.

He said: "I always enjoy visiting York. I enjoy its history, its architecture and its sense of having the qualities of a capital city in stunning rural surroundings."

The politicians visited a local voter's home, where Coun Waller explained Lib Dem plans to extend doorstep recycling across the whole city.

He said: "We would run a pilot scheme for the collection of garden refuse, to be taken away for composting. Collection of recyclables would be extended across the whole city and battery and plastic collection would also be extended.

"We are concerned about sustainability. We want to help the city and its residents do their bit for the environment."

Tory leader John Galvin said he supports "green" measures as long as they are economically viable.

"Composting waste is very important as long as there is a site to do it. We support environmental initiatives but they can't just be a fad or fashion, there must be an end result."

Coun Derek Smallwood, Labour's executive member for the environment, said: "The Liberals are offering nothing new. They are simply quoting what we're already doing.

"By June of this year 75 per cent of all houses will be on kerbside collection of recyclable materials."

And Andy D'Agorne, York Green Party spokesman, said: "We have long argued for kerbside recycling. The practicalities of composting would have to be looked at. A local allotment-based composting scheme would reduce cost and transport needs, further helping the environment."

Updated: 11:06 Tuesday, April 01, 2003