A recycling campaign by Cornwall Council has boosted recycling levels and gained it a national award.

The council's innovative work in engaging the public was recognised at the national Plant and Waste Recycling Awards at the Imperial Hotel in Torquay.

The council's waste awareness team carried out a three-month intensive campaign to raise recycling levels in the St Austell and St Blazey area, which featured a revolutionary Big Green Ticket scheme whereby residents could win shopping vouchers.

Julian German, Cornwall Council cabinet member for waste management, said: "We're thrilled to have run such a successful campaign and to win national recognition.

"It is a fantastic initiative because it takes all of the good work that we have developed over the last few years across Cornwall and focuses it on a specific area. Thank you to the people of St Austell and St Blazey for their fantastic response to the campaign.

"The environmental and economic benefits of recycling are clear – the less waste that has to be taken to landfill, the lower the cost to the council taxpayer.

" Cornwall Council is committed to increasing the recycling rate in Cornwall and this national award is recognition of our efforts."

Esther O'Bearagh, Cornwall Council waste awareness and education officer who received the award, said: "The results have been outstanding – we increased the number of households recycling in a very low performing area over a short period.

"We ran roadshows in shops, schools, leisure centres and libraries so that we could speak face to face with thousands of people."

Residents were given further encouragement to take part in recycling through the Big Green Ticket. Every week participating residents who filled in a competition form and left it with their recycling could win weekly prizes of £50 of shopping vouchers as first prize, £25 as second prize and £10 as third prize.

Plans to raise recycling rates will now be rolled out to other parts of Cornwall. The Waste Awareness Team will be in the Launceston area from July 5 for six weeks.