RESIDENTS in South Bucks could receive a cash prize simply for bothering to use their recycling box properly.

Over the next year, 12 gold tickets, worth £150 each, and 52 silver tickets, worth £30 each, will be dispatched randomly into filled recycling boxes put out for collection.

The incentive, part of the nationwide Big Recycle campaign, is intended to encourage people to recycle more.

Olympic rowing champion Sir Matthew Pinsent has pledged his support to the campaign explaining: "I've always been a big believer in recycling and use my local council's doorstop collection service. I don't even think about it now I just do it."

The four-times gold medallist, who even recycles his own rowing kits, added: "I know from my own experience that it has never been easier to make recycling a part of your everyday life.

"That's what the Big Recycle is all about letting people know how and where they can do it, wherever they live."

Tracie Cook, spokeswoman for South Bucks District Council, said: "We are participating as part of a Buckinghamshire-wide initiative and we can confirm that Bucks has had its first silver winner whose identity will be revealed next week."

The Big Recycle will officially kick off with a week of TV and radio interviews, public relations activity and local recycling events on June 27.