HUNTINGDONSHIRE, with one of the country s best records for recycling, is also proving fertile ground for composting. Since the beginning of the year 1,295 residents in the district have taken advantage of cut-price compost bins from the council-sponsored

HUNTINGDONSHIRE, with one of the country's best records for recycling, is also proving fertile ground for composting.

Since the beginning of the year 1,295 residents in the district have taken advantage of cut-price compost bins from the council-sponsored Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Partnership - more than another district in the county. South Cambridgeshire's residents are a close second with 1,125.

Full-size bins cost as little as £8 and are made largely from recycled material, with kitchen caddies available for waste food at just £2.

WRAP says the onset of autumn is a good excuse for householders to start thinking about recycling waste food in the compost bin.

"When cooking up seasonal favourites like damson jam or apple crumble, residents are being urged to compost cores, peelings, skins and any unwanted fruit," said a spokesman. "By recycling organic waste in this way, you can watch nature transform your unwanted waste into free, quality fertiliser.

"Not only can you recycle much of your food waste and other items, such as egg shells and scrunched up paper, you can also load up your bin with prunings, final grass cuttings and a limited amount of fallen leaves.

"Compost takes around six to nine months until it is ready to use, but enthusiastic gardeners can apply peat-free soil conditioners in the meantime.