KERBSIDE recycling of glass in Winchester is a non-starter despite being popular with the public, city councillors heard.

Rob Heathcock, assistant director, said the idea was ruled out several years ago.

He told the overview and scrutiny committee on Monday night: “We are not going to do it. It is incredibly expensive and it only adds two per cent to the recycling rate. Kerbside collections are popular but it’s not affordable at the moment.”

Cllr Therese Evans, who represents Wickham in the southern parishes, said: “It is not easy for people in the rural areas to recycle glass.”

But Mr Heathcock disagreed: “There is a very comprehensive network. I rarely get complaints from people saying they can’t get to sites. We’ve got them in pub car parks, public car parks.”