A VOLUNTEERS behind a scheme which recycles unwanted paint broke off from preparations for an open day to meet NE Cambs MP Steve Barclay at Westminster.

Mr Barclay invited Community RePaint to Westminster to show his support for the scheme, which collects unwanted paint from recycling centres around the region and provides it back to charities, community groups and people on low incomes.

Mr Barclay said: “Each year some 400 million litres of is sold in the UK of which a staggering 53 million litres ends up in garages and sheds.

“So it is excellent to see a scheme such as this which encourages people to recycle their leftover paint for the benefit of people and communities.

“Community RePaint in March is also a perfect example of what can be achieved by educating the public as to what happens to their recycled materials and benefits of doing what is right.”

Community RePaint, based in Thorby Avenue, which is run by not-for-profit Cambridgeshire Community Reuse and Recycling Network (CCORRN), holds its first open day on Saturday as it celebrates opening the doors to its warehouse for the first time.

Don the Dulux Dog will make an appearance at the event, which runs from 10am-4pm. Also in attendance will be the Mayor of March, Councillor Jan French.

Numerous stalls will sell bric-a-brac and provide displays for Help for Heroes, Hope, Sue Ryder Care, RSPCA and many others.

Since the scheme began, Community RePaint has diverted more that 80,000 litres of paint from the waste stream and has redistributed more than 5,000 litres of good quality paint.

Will Rogowski, CCORRN spokesman, said: “We have worked extremely hard over the past few months and having disposed of more than 23 tonnes of bad paint which is being converted into fertilizer, we are finally in a position to open our doors for people to come along to our warehouse and select paint in a cleaner, safer environment.

“This will be marked by holding an open day at our warehouse on Saturday June 30.”