PEOPLE in Malmesbury are understandably fed up that when in comes to recycling they are being left out in the cold.

While other towns in North Wiltshire are to get doorstep collections of a variety of goods ranging from paper and bottles to cans and cardboard householders in Malmesbury will miss out.

The project is a joint scheme between North Wiltshire District Council and Wiltshire County Council.

The district has provided cash to help pay for the project but county has decided exactly where it should be introduced.

Malmesbury has missed out because its population is more spread out than in other small towns such as Calne and Corsham.

But the Gazette, like many people in Malmesbury, thinks this is a ridiculous situation at a time when councils at all levels are trying to meet Government targets for recycling and wanting to reduce the amount of rubbish that is put in landfill sites.

In Malmesbury many people are desperate to do the green thing and put plastic, paper and glass goods back into circulation rather than filling the ground.

But unless someone at one level or another comes up with the cash all those thousands of items of goods that could be put to good use again will be wasted.

We want people who care to write to their representatives at all levels. Elections are looming and it is amazing what can be done at this time of year to get a decision overturned if it seems enough people care enough.

In May people will have the chance to vote. Now is the time for the councils to look to their laurels.