An extra £5.4 million is being ploughed into recycling schemes across the county.

The cash boost comes as the Government launches a new national advertising campaign urging people to go green.

The Government has set a target of recycling 25 per cent of household waste by next year.

Essex has already hit 22 per cent, with Colchester leading the way on 28 per cent.

The county has been given an additional £5 million by environment department Defra to fund doorstep collections over a two-year period.

Another £400,000 from Wrap - the Waste Resources Action Programme - will be pumped into a major publicity drive.