Six thousand flat dwellers are set for fortnightly bin collections as the city council's controversial recycling revolution gathers pace.

The council will spend £186,500 on converting city flats and maisonettes to make sure they have large enough recycling containers and bin sheds to store two weeks' refuse.

The scheme will see some householders receive large blue bins next month to handle mixed recycling such as paper, tins and plastic while a separate container will be given for glass.

Larger commercial-sized refuse bins will also be given.

It is hoped the move will help increase the amount of waste Oxford residents recycle by 515 tonnes, allowing the council to recoup its outlay in five years.

The authority currently receives a credit of £39.43 from the Government for every tonne recycled.

City councillor John Tanner, executive member for a cleaner greener city, said: "Flat dwellers in Oxford have been ignored as far as our recycling scheme is concerned.

"Around one fifth of all homes in Oxford are flats so this is a way to increase our recycling rates and decrease the amount of rubbish we put in holes in the ground.

"We have previously converted 5,000 private and council flats and it's gone remarkably well. People have really taken part with enthusiasm.

"We get some people who can't be bothered, but if we talk to them, distribute leaflets and point out we can fine them if they do it wrong they usually come on board."

The scheme will be monitored and it is hoped the council's new £40,000 waste-hit squad will tackle any side waste or bin bags which cannot fit in bin cupboards.

Mr Tanner added: "We're going to make sure we consult with people. If it's not going to work there's no point in forcing it on people.

"If people live in flats and think their scheme isn't working please let Oxford City Council know."

But the scheme has not been welcomed by some residents.

Tracey Richens of Slade Close, Headington who shares a big green bin with five flats said: "It's a pathetic idea. Fortnightly collections may be okay in some houses but it will be very difficult for people living in flats. Why can't they just keep to weekly collections? There's no space to store any more bins down here. It's stupid."

The mum-of-two who suffered from a maggot infestation due to uncollected bin bags two months ago added: "It isn't fair on the families who go out to work all day to worry if you'll come home to an infestation of maggots again.

"I'm worried there'll be black bags overflowing all over the place."

Richard Mayhew, 29, of Normandy Crescent, Cowley, whose family of four shares a bin cupboard with five flats added: "We are recycling anyway and we don't really need this."

About 4,000 flats in Oxford are considered too difficult to convert to the system as they have too little space for waste containers.