Hadston and North and South Broomhill have been added to the run, with 1,500 more households in addition to the 6,000 that were already part of the scheme.

Within the first two weeks of the new areas being included an additional two tonnes of glass was collected, which should ensure that the authority is on target to recycle 900 tonnes of glass this year.

Households not currently part of the kerbside collection scheme are deemed close enough to a recycling centre and the Council's Green and Clean Manager, Andy Rutherford thanked residents for taking glass to the centre or putting it in kerbside boxes.

He said: "Glass recycling is important because it keeps Council Tax down and enables us to increase our recycling performance, making us the best recycling Borough in the North East and in the top 25 percent in the country," he said.

"Residents have been fantastic in helping us to achieve such a high standard and I hope we can continue on the same path, improving our performance and encouraging more people to take part."