NEWPORT'S groundbreaking green initiatives have won the city a place in the finals of a national award - and won praise from its peers.

Newport City Council and Wastesavers are the only Welsh representatives shortlisted in the National Recycling Awards.

The partners are up with a chance in the category for best local authority and community sector partnership and the best community while Wastesavers are also in the finals for best community project.

Designed to recognise innovation and excellence on a national scale over the previous 18 months, the awards were established seven years ago by trade magazine, Materials Recycling Week.

All the winners will be revealed in a ceremony in Sheffield on October 25. Waste and recycling services run by the council and Wastesavers were also praised in the Welsh Local Government Association's waste services peer review.

This process is aimed at identifying and promoting good practice, raising the profile of waste management issues and providing advice to local authorities.

In the report, the WGLA said the council deserved its reputation as one of the strongest local authorities in Wales in this field.

Not only had the authority achieved impressive results so far but it showed every sign of being able to continue this success into the future.

Councillor Ray Truman, the council's cabinet member for community safety and sustainable development, said: "Our recycling and composting services are a key part of our efforts to tackle the waste problem Newport and every other council faces.

"A lot of hard work has gone into shaping our services to address the targets we've been set, sticking within our budgets. It's a bonus to get some recognition from our peers and the recycling industry, to add to the praise we get in passing from Newport residents."

For more information about the council's recycling schemes contact 01633 656656 or visit www.newport.gov.uk/recyclefornewport.