ECO-CONSCIOUS firefighters have recycled almost 90 per cent of their rubbish as they try to become more environmentally friendly.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has worked with Briers Waste to ensure 88 per cent of the 2.3 tonnes of waste created at stations is recycled or used as fuel for a cement works.

News comes as contractors carry out a £300,000 project to install solar panels at the service headquarters in Stone to cut its energy bills.

Ian Housley, operational assurance manager for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Nothing has gone to landfill and that's what we're aiming for."