THE first districts in Oxford to receive wheelie bins have been announced.

Residents living in roughly 14,000 homes in Carfax, Holywell, Jericho, Botley Road, Hinksey Park, Summertown, Wolvercote and parts of Marston, Headington and Quarry will lead the way in recycling in a little over six weeks time.

In November, householders in those districts will receive recycling boxes and wheelie bins for non-recyclable household waste.

Those who want to opt-out of having a wheelie bin will be given special sacks in which to place household waste.

The historic arrangement - the first time wheelie bins have been seen on the city's streets - is seen as Oxford City Council's best hope yet of boosting recycling rates to 40 per cent within two years.

By early November residents in the pilot areas will receive a leaflet explaining how the fortnightly scheme works.

And shortly afterwards, wheelie bins - or sacks - and boxes will be delivered with more detailed information and a calendar showing collection days.

City councillor Jean Fooks, executive member for a cleaner city, said: "This is another significant step in our efforts to make Oxford one of the leading recycling cities in the country.

"The area that will lead the way is one where very many people have already demonstrated their enthusiasm for recycling by taking part in the pilot garden waste and cardboard collection service."

The garden waste and cardboard recycling service will be extended across the city in the next few weeks, with heavy duty reusable bags being delivered to thousands of homes across the city.

Residents will be able to use them for green waste and cardboard, which will be collected every fortnight and turned into compost.

Once the full recycling service is underway new-style collection rounds will see crews collecting garden waste and emptying wheelie bins or sacks one week and the next, high-grade waste paper and glass from green boxes with plastics, cans, other paper and textiles from blue recycling boxes or bins.

All properties are scheduled to be participating in this arrangement by spring 2007.