MOBILE phones can pollute the environment if they are not disposed of properly and almost 100,000 old ones are lying unused in Swindon.

So Swindon Council has launched a scheme to recycle people's old ones.

Residents are being asked to pick up special packages from council offices to post their old mobile phone, or simply bring it to the recycling centre in Barnfield Road.

Each phone contains a small amount of precious metals, such as silver and gold, which can pollute the water table if disposed of incorrectly.

Research used by the council shows there could be 92,400 phones lying unused in the town, containing 13 kilograms of silver and three kilograms of gold.

Councillor Maureen Dilley (Lab, Covingham and Nythe), the lead member for Swindon Services said: "With the amount of unused mobile phones in the borough, it is essential that we start the recycling process immediately and in the correct manner.

"Swindon Services' commitment to recycling is ongoing as shown in this initiative."