RESIDENTS in West Oxfordshire can pick up additional containers to help deal with increased food waste over Christmas.

Extra food waste containers, food bin liners and recycling boxes are all available for free from Carterton Town Hall, The Guildhall, Chipping Norton, and West Oxfordshire District Council's shop on Welch Way.

The council pointed to official figures from Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), which estimate £810 worth of food is thrown away by the average UK family each year.

Steve Good, cabinet member for environment, said: “Sadly an astonishing amount of food is wasted at Christmas, rather than reused or recycled.

“Recycled food is put to good use generating electricity and liquid fertiliser for farmland, which is why we are so keen to encourage more people to use our weekly collection service, rather than placing their unwanted food in the household rubbish wheelie bins.

“Anyone wanting to take up the service or needing additional food waste containers can pick up a caddy or food bin directly from us so that they have them in time for Christmas. Remember that turkey carcasses, vegetable and fruit peelings can all be recycled as food waste.”

Additional recycling containers can also be ordered online by visiting www.westoxon.gov.uk.