A compost giveaway event in York has been hailed a big success with 250 tonnes being bagged up and handed out to green-fingered residents.

Recycling company Yorwasate is working with City of York Council to give away free compost throughout the summer.

Steve Worsley, Yorwaste’s site manager at Harewood Whin, said: “The event was an amazing success and it demonstrated, by recycling in the first instance and then reusing, how committed local people are to protecting the environment.”

More than 300 cars visited the recycling centre, with many making return visits.

Sara Goodhead, City of York Council’s waste strategy officer, said: “The compost is made from the garden waste collected in everyone’s green bins, so it’s a great way of gardening sustainably.”

More free compost will be available from the Harewood Whin site between 9.30am and 2.30pm on June 6, July 4, August 1 and September 5.