Up to 45 per cent of West Sussex's waste could be recycled thanks to a £25 million cash injection.

Cash will be spent upgrading civic amenity sites, recycling centres, transfer stations and material recovery facilities as well as creating new composting facilities.

Michael Dennis, county council cabinet member for public safety, said: "This money will transform waste management in the county. It will enable us to achieve levels of recycling of at least 45 per cent."

The Government Private Finance Initiative (PFI) has been negotiated in partnership with West Sussex boroughs and districts.

It will involve the selection of a private partner, after a tendering process, who will design and operate the new facilities to be provided.

Four companies have been shortlisted and it is hoped the new contract will begin in autumn next year.

Under the scheme, Worthing civic amenity site will be relocated and Littlehampton, Burgess Hill, East Grinstead, Westhampnett and Crawley sites upgraded.

Billingshurst will get a new site and Sompting's waste management complex is to be replaced. New composting facilities will also be built.

The improvements will be carried out in a rolling programme beginning in 2004.

The PFI will contribute an annual fee and the running costs for the capital investment needed.

The new contract is the result of almost two years of work between the local authorities in conjunction with a comprehensive consultation programme involving West Sussex residents.