A WELL-used recycling service is set to end in April as the district council continues its programme of cost cutting. The kerbside plastic recycling service was described by officers at East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) as one of the authority s

A WELL-used recycling service is set to end in April as the district council continues its programme of cost cutting.

The kerbside plastic recycling service was described by officers at East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) as one of the authority's "most popular" recycling outlets but will stop from April to help cover the council's �1.6 million budget deficit.

The withdrawal of the service is expected to save the council around �110,000.

The remainder of the council's recycling services including paper, cardboard and glass will remain unaffected.

At a meeting of the Environment and Transport Committee last week, councillors lamented the loss, labelling the move as 'sad' and raising concerns about the council's ability to meet Government recycling targets.

Councillor Robert Stevens, said: "It is very sad and it is not going to look very good that a local authority is withdrawing a service that is very valuable. Council tax payers are going to wonder what is going on with their money."

Councillor Ian Allen meanwhile, highlighted worries that ECDC may be in danger of a Government fine if it does not meet its recycling targets.

Councillor James Palmer, said: "It's very sad to be losing this service and it is also very sad to have to make 1.6 million of budget cuts but we are in a difficult situation. Nobody enjoys cutting anything."

For people who still want to recycle their plastic, ECDC has agreed in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council to provide an enhanced drop-off service at various sites across the district.

An initial commitment of �20,000 has been put forward between the two authorities to provide improved plastic drop-off banks, which will be emptied regularly.

A map detailing the areas where plastic can be recycled is being drawn up by officers and is expected to be delivered to houses in the district in the coming weeks.