STREET entertainer Mr Doo helped spread Cotswold District Council's recycling message to shoppers at a special roadshow at Stow Farmers' Market.

The clown helped give out advice on recycling - along with biodegradable shopping bags, car tidy bags and gum disposal pouches.

The event was organised by the district council and Gloucestershire County Council in a bid to minimise waste, increase recycling and reduce litter.

Cotswold residents are already the best recyclers in the county, with rates regularly above 40 per cent, but the council hopes to increase that to 70 per cent by 2011.

District council leader Cllr Lynden Stowe said: "I know our residents want to do even more and hopefully, in the near future, we will be able to add cardboard to the list of materials that can be recycled from the kerbside.

"We are also keen to promote the Keep The Cotswolds Clean campaign. We added £25,000 to our street cleansing budget in 2006-07 and will be doing the same next year in our drive to make the Cotswolds cleaner."

For more information about the waste and recycling service, contact the council on 01285 623000 or visit www.recycleforgloucestershire.com