WEST Wiltshire is failing to meet minimum recycling targets set by the Government, latest figures reveal.

The Municipal Waste Management Survey, released last week, shows West Wiltshire District Council only achieved a five per cent recycling rate for household waste in 2002/03. The minimum level is 10 per cent and this put the council among the bottom nine per cent in the country, with just 22 of 394 local authorities below it

The district council says it is not surprised by the poor results, which are one of the reasons it has embarked on a big recycling campaign. Since 2002/03 the council says its recycling rate has risen to 10 per cent, but it faces a hefty government fine if it cannot hit 25 per cent by 2006.

Environment minister Elliott Morley said: "Most councils are working hard to improve recycling rates, providing kerbside boxes and expanding the range of waste materials collected. But a significant minority are still not doing enough.

"Defra can help local authorities improve and wants to work together with less-strong performers to achieve better results. But those who do not show a commitment to improve their recycling levels risk intervention by the Government to make it happen."

North Wiltshire District Council fared little better with a seven per cent recycling rate and both are lagging behind Salisbury District Council and Swindon Borough Council. Salisbury's rate rose from 14 per cent in 2001/02 to 15 per cent in 2002/03 while Swindon's increased from 10 to 14 per cent.