Householders are to receive doorstep calls from advisers explaining how to recycle.

Leonie White and Fiona Wellings have been employed by Brighton and Hove City Council to visit homes to talk about the black box scheme because not enough people are using it.

Council workers already pick up recyclable materials weekly or fortnightly from hundreds of streets in the city.

The scheme has grown quickly in the last 18 months and is used by thousands of people.

But some areas have proved reluctant to come on board.

The recycling advisors will visit homes in areas where take-up has been slower.

Jan Jonker, head of strategy and development for Cityclean, the council's refuse and recycling department, said: "They are going to talk to people to ask them if they're recycling. They might not be aware of the services.

"There are still a lot of people who aren't sure what they can and can't recycle."

The advisors will be trained for the next five weeks and will spend some time working on the council's advice line so they know what kinds of questions people ask about recycling.

They are expected to begin their visits in early September.

They will start work in the late morning and finish in the early evening, with some weekend work to catch people who are not at home in the day.

They will leave leaflets if occupants are out.

Their progress will be measured by recording how many recyclable materials are put out for collection from areas they have targeted.

Every van is weighed at the end of its round to monitor the system.

The first areas they visit will probably be Moulsecoomb and Whitehawk.

In the meantime the council has employed some students to visit homes during the summer.

Black boxes can take paper, magazines, phone books, plastic bottles without lids, any kind of glass and clean, empty cans and tins.

Objects should be sorted within the box or placed in plastic bags, which will be emptied and returned.

To find out more about recycling, call the council's advice line on 01273 292929.

Police warned anyone receiving an unexpected visit to be cautious and make sure the callers are genuine.

Steve Barry, district commander for central Brighton, said householders should always ask for identification and remember if they are uncomfortable, they do not have to let callers inside but can talk on the doorstep.