YOU'VE heard of Ginger Spice, now meet Green Spice.

Former Spice Girl Melanie C is helping out a Gwent recycling scheme, supporting Monmouthshire Community Recycling (MCR).

The service has recently expanded and now covers her Wye Valley home.

General manager of the scheme Dave Roman was the brains behind getting the local celebrity on board.

He is hoping her involvement will encourage more young people to recycle and become environmentally aware.

Melanie C, formerly known as Sporty Spice, posed with her recycling box on the cover of the council's Community Spirit newspaper, which is distributed to Monmouthshire residents.

Speaking from her Catbrook home, she said: "Recycling is so important for the future of our planet, and I think we should all do our bit for the environment.

"It feels good to know that a little effort goes a long way.

"All we have to do in Monmouthshire is pop our cans, paper, glass and textiles into the black boxes provided."

Mr Roman said they were "absolutely delighted" to have her support and said the crew were all looking forward to meeting her.

He said: "I knew through the Argus that she was living in our area and thought we'd have to try getting her involved."

Taking the direct approach, he wrote her a letter asking for her backing and she was keen to get involved. Mr Roman said: "This is a wonderful image. It's going to reach an age group who are sometimes hard to get on board.

"This was a voluntary thing she has done for us."

The Black Box recycling scheme, set up in 2003, is run by the MCR in partnership with the council.

More than 28,000 households fill their boxes with paper, glass, cans, foil and textiles which are collected weekly.

MCR, which has a workforce of 17, recently expanded its service to cover more of the Wye Valley, including Mel C's home.

Community Spirit editor Rachel Griffiths said: "We are very proud to feature Melanie C on the front cover and to have quoted her on recycling."