ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners say Bolton needs to improve its recycling figures - despite being on course to meet strict Government targets.

Figures released this week by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) show Bolton is steadily increasing the amount it recycles.

And council projections, which take into account Bolton Council's controversial alternate weekly bin collections, show the town is on track to meet the Government target of 30 per cent of waste recycled by 2010.

But environmental group Friends of the Earth says the Government should increase the target to 50 per cent because some local authorities are proving that it can be done.

In 2003-2004, Bolton recycled 8.4 per cent of its waste, increasing that figure to 13.09 in 2004/05. Council projections now show that in 2005/06 the rate will increase again to around 22.58 per cent.

Cllr Roger Hayes, executive member for environmental services at Bolton Council, said the figures were very encouraging.

He added: "We are showing signs of significant improvement and putting ourselves in a good position to meet the 30 per cent target in 2010.

"I would like to thank all the residents in Bolton for the effort they have put in, and I expect the residents in the other parts of the town who are about to join the scheme will do just as well."

Around 55,000 homes are covered by the alternate weekly bin collection scheme - in which recycling containers are emptied one week and grey wheelie bins the next - is expected to be extended to the remaining areas of Bolton by the end of February.