Around 6,400 households in the north west of the borough received their bins this week as part of a phased roll out programme by North Tyneside Council.

Mayor John Harrison was on hand to personally deliver one of the first bins, along with recycling gifts, to Jacqueline Bruce, of Ashwood Grove, Wideopen.

The new bins, replacing the black box recycling service, feature more space for recycling, a lidded container for better storage, the collection of cardboard, and less lifting.

Mrs Bruce told the News Guardian: "Recycling will be a lot easier with this bin.

"There is a lot more space inside the bin, which is great as I have two boys who are always drinking water from plastic bottles.

"I currently use three black boxes so this will mean more space outside our house."

Around 87,000 households across the borough will receive the new 240-litre bins between January and June, with those in Seaton Burn, Wideopen, Dudley, Fordley and Annitsford the first to benefit.

Mr Harrison said: "I was delighted to deliver one of the first new wheeled recycling bins.

"More and more people recognise how important it is to do their bit for the environment and these bins will help make recycling easier."

Collection will be once a fortnight on the same day as rubbish – although not at the same time while rubbish bins will still be collected on a weekly basis.

When residents receive their bin, they will also get a calendar containing collection information and handy hints on recycling.

For more information about the scheme, visit www.northtyneside.gov.uk, email recycle@northtyneside.gov.uk or contact 0845 2000112.

The council is also hosting a number of roadshows giving more information on the scheme.

They will be held between 10am and 4pm at the following locations:-
January 9–10, Sainsbury's, Monkseaton Drive, Whitley Bay;
January 30–31, Killingworth Shopping Centre, Citadel East;
February 6–7, Park View Shopping Centre, Whitley Bay;
February 27–28, Oxford Centre car park, West Farm Avenue, Longbenton;
March 6–7, Morrisons, Preston Road North, Tynemouth;
March 27–28, Sainsbury's, Earsdon Road, Shiremoor, and Aldi car park, Wiltshire Drive, Wallsend;
April 3–4, Morrisons, Preston Road North, Tynemouth, and Beacon Centre, North Shields;
April 24–25, The Forum Shopping Centre, Wallsend;
May 1–2, Tesco, Norham Road, North Shields;
May 22–23, Wallsend Labour Club car park, Windsor Drive, Wallsend.