A public service award has been awarded to Maidstone council.

It received a gold award from the Improvement and Efficiency Social Enterprise (iESE), an organisation which recognises work carried out to ensure the new services work provide value for money to taxpayers, for improvements to waste disposal.

The improvements have been made thanks to a partnership which also consists of Biffa, the county council, Swale Borough Council and Ashford Borough Council.

It was set up last year and is expected to run for the next 10 years.

It is claimed that recycling rates have been boosted to 50% while saving £1.7 million each year.

Cllr Marion Ring, Maidstone council’s cabinet member for the environment said: “We’re very proud to be part of this partnership, which has allowed us to offer fantastic new doorstep recycling services to our residents, including glass, textiles and small electricals, while saving Maidstone taxpayers over £1 million per year.”