THE council is giving away free compost bins in a bid to encourage people to recycle more of their own waste.

A composting expert will be on hand to give advice when the 220 litre bins are handed out at an Ealing Council event on Thursday, May 15.

Councillor Will Brooks, who is in responsible for Ealing's environment, said: "This is a good opportunity for any budding gardeners to give home composting a try.

"At least a third of your household bin could be composted and doing it at home is an environmentally friendly way to improve your own garden, for free."

Council officers will hand out 100 bins in the car park behind the Town Hall, in New Broadway, between noon and 4pm.