Households in north Norfolk are being urged to recycle their old clothes, shoes and unwanted textiles to raise vital funds for a national charity supporting people in need.

Launched by North Norfolk District Council (NNDC), the new initiative aims to raise money for the Salvation Army and increase the amount of waste recycled in the area.

NNDC deputy leader and cabinet member for environmental services, councillor John Lee, said: 'The council is delighted to be introducing this additional service. It is very pleasing to know that the textiles and shoes collected will not be going to landfill, but will be sold for recycling and the funds raised then used for a very good purpose.'

The separate textiles collection will be run every quarter and has been introduced as part of the agreement between NNDC and new waste contractors Kier, who are working in conjunction with the council.

The two-week scheme, which was launched today, will see items collected on the allocated day when collection crews next call for the green recycling bin.

Every household in the district will be left a specially marked bag in which they can place unwanted textiles and shoes. The filled bag can then be left out alongside the green bin, when the collection is again due a fortnight later.

All the items collected will be processed and sold on behalf of the Salvation Army by Kettering Textiles Ltd and at the current market rate for recycled textiles and shoes the Salvation Army will receive �260 per tonne of donated clothing.

The scheme also aims to increase the amount of waste recycled in north Norfolk to around 50pc from its current 45pc.