The first group is now operating, covering the area from Bridlington to Driffield and has up to 500 members.

There is also a Hull group which covers some areas of the East Riding. Freecycle is an internet-based network which links people with unwanted household items to those who can make use of them.

The site is free to join and is run through Yahoo! Items on offer must be free and legal and have to be collected, so Freecycle is ideal for bulky furniture like sofas.

Paul Bellotti, East Riding of Yorkshire Council's head of community and sustainable development, said: "With Freecycle predicting members will give away 4.38 million items to new owners, saving 36,642 tonnes of waste from landfill, we are keen to see more local groups. "Everyone is welcome to join a Freecycle group, including schools and charities. To start a group, contact www.freecycle.org/startagroup."

Jools Marley, moderator for the Bridlington group, said: "The most popular items are furniture and kitchen appliances, computers, TVs and children's toys.

"Everyone has unwanted possessions lying around, whether it is a kitchen sink or an old door.

"It is very satisfying to pass something on to someone who needs it."
For more information contact Freecycle on

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bridlington_freecycle and for the Hull group,
hullfreecycle-
owner@yahoogroups.co.uk