THE search is on for families to go head to head with other households across North Yorkshire in a recycling challenge.

Each local authority is looking for people to take part in a six-week environmental makeover to find out who can reduce their food and green waste most.

Recent research showed that the average household in Britain throws away about a third of all the food they buy And as part of the challenge the entrants will learn how to make food go further, how to save up to £610 a year on food bills, and how to stop wasting so much of it.

"This is a great opportunity to get the whole family involved in a fun and educational challenge that can change wasteful habits and save money," said Hambleton's recycling officer Lucy Woodall.

"They will get training, support, food freebies and lots of tips to take the strain off both the dustbin and the wallet.

"We don't mind if you're a recycling newbie or a bit of a green hero, as long as you're keen to do more and are happy to be featured in local and regional media."

Each North Yorkshire district will be represented by one household with all eight households going head-to-head in a series of three fortnightly challenges.

The project is being run by environmental charity Waste Watch on behalf of all the councils in York and North Yorkshire in a bid to reduce the waste mountain.

For more information contact alys.dunn@wastewatch.org.uk or call 020 7549 0351 before October 17.