Northern Ireland Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has lauded the work of a Lisburn recycling project, which is helping people on low incomes.

The Voluntary Service Lisburn's (VSL) facility, backed by the Environment Department's community waste fund, recycles electrical goods and furniture, which are sold on to people on low incomes at low costs.

"With the ongoing 'credit crunch' putting so much pressure on people's household budgets, VSL is providing useful goods that the local community can re-use," said Mr Wilson.

"It manages a furniture restoration project which collects and restores unwanted items which can be sold at a low cost to those on low incomes."

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The minister said the scheme not only benefits the community but also reduces the stress on local landfill sites.

Mr Wilson toured both VSL's city centre shops, where restored furniture and electrical goods are sold.

Mr Wilson praised VSL for its work, singling out the environmental and social benefits of its recycling projects.

VSL collects unwanted domestic white goods such as cookers, washing machines, dryers and small electrical items and repairs and refurbishes them for sale at low cost to those on low incomes.

"To date, VSL has refurbished and sold to those on low incomes, over 132 tonnes of appliances, which would otherwise have gone to landfill," said the minister.

"I would urge everyone in the area with unwanted furniture and electrical goods to support this worthwhile and smart initiative which is providing tangible environmental and financial benefits to local people," he added.

(PR/JM)