Gravesham is to get almost £5 million for wheelie bins, kitchen caddies and to improve recycling in the borough.

The council successfully bid to the government’s Weekly Collection Support Scheme, receiving £4,915,990.

The cash will fund bins to replace the black sacks and clear recycling bags as well as the introduction of a new food waste collection service.

Wheelie bins for recycling and refuse will not be introduced until the third year of the scheme after a study to identify houses where wheelie bins can be used and where they are not practical – such as terraced streets with no access to the rear.

The improvements will affect around 41,000 households.

Gravesham council leader Cllr John Burden said: "We are committed to providing excellent services for residents and this is the largest single grant the council has ever obtained for a specific project of this kind.

"It is over £3 million more than other borough or district council in Kent and that testifies to the quality of the bid and the work that went into its submission."