GREEN fingered residents in Crewe and Nantwich are being invited to join a composting campaign.

Cheshire East Council is looking to recruit volunteers to the Master Composter Scheme, which promotes the benefits of home composting to local householders.

The scheme offers free training to volunteers who can then speak on an individual and group basis to householders, take part in promoting the benefits of home composting at local events and write articles for the local media.

Crewe councillor David Brickhill said: "We are seeing an increase in the number of households beginning to grow their own fruit and vegetables and whilst this is good news we need to continue to offer information and advice to people who may not know how to get started.

"Not only does growing your own fruit and vegetables provide financial benefits for families, but it's a great way to get the family active and spending time together. "Research has shown that almost half of a household’s food waste each year could have been composted.

"Composting plays a vital part in Cheshire East’s recycling campaign, reducing the amount of household waste going to landfill each year and also playing a huge role in reducing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere.

“The Master Composter programme is a great way to learn new skills and meet new people whilst helping to promote composting and recycling messages.

"Volunteers will receive full training and support from council officers and free membership to Garden Organic, the national charity for organic growing.”

For more information call 0300 1235500 or visit www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/composting.

Applications must be received by November 20.

All volunteers must be able to attend a free two-day training course on Saturday November 28 and Sunday November 29 at Crewe Hall Hotel.