RESIDENTS are being encouraged to recycle over this year’s festive period using free plastic bags handed out at the borough's supermarkets.

Thurrock Council have already handed out free recycling bags at Chafford Hundred’s Sainsbury’s store but there will be a further 12 supermarket give-aways this month.

Residents that can't make it can collect the blue bags from their local library or area office, the Civic Offices in Grays or from the Orsett Village Store and Bulphan Village Store.

Bags, which should be tied and left next to your blue bin for collection, will be collected between Friday, December 27 and Saturday, January 11 2014.

A list of supermarket events are available online through the council’s website via Waste and Recycling and Ready for Winter.

Details of Christmas collections are also available on the council’s website.