Wednesday AM - fire latest

More than 4,000 wheelie bins and 9,000 plastic boxes were melted when two lorries went up in flames at the Beeching Road industrial estate on Sunday night.

(Click here for slideshow photos from the fire)

This represents a substantial percentage of the 40,000 wheelie bins and 26,000 boxes that are being distributed across Rother.

When the fire was put out a layer of melted plastic a foot deep was left where the bins had been

Councillor Brian Kentfield, cabinet portfolio holder said "It is hard to comprehend why anyone would wish to cause such mindless devastation as well as putting the lives of those living nearby and officers from the fire and rescue service at risk."

But Rother Council Chief Executive Derek Stevens is confident the overall roll out of the new recycling scheme would be delayed by no more than a couple of weeks.

He said: "The most important thing, was that no one was hurt as a result of this dreadful act of destruction and I have nothing but praise for the work of the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and the police for the way in which they handled the situation."

Alan Dodge, contract services manger with the council was equally optimistic.

He said: We have started to deliver the bins in Camber and Rye and hope the Bexhill bins will be in place close to the planned date on June 4.

"We will do our best to try and achieve that."

It is hoped the new recycling scheme may more than double the current 17% recycling rates being achieved in the Rother district.