Freecycle is an online group which gives people the chance to get rid of unwanted items for free and in an eco-friendly way.

The multi-national organisation has volunteer moderators running each localised group and is open to anyone who wants to recycle and keep items out of landfill sites.

Group members communicate through e-mail to arrange to collect or post items and Eastbourne's group reached 2,000 members in March, and membership is constantly growing.

Liz Chalk, of Matlock Road, has been a member of Eastbourne Freecycle for eight months and became a moderator for Eastbourne's Freecycle group after replying to a notice asking for help from volunteers.

Liz said, "When someone becomes a new member their posts go through a moderator for a bit just to check that people are doing what they are supposed to do."

In March 2008, 747 messages were posted on Eastbourne's page, the most since the group was formed in August 2005.

The Freecycle Network reached its four millionth member in October 2007. It is a non profitable organisation and keeps more than 400 tons worth of items out of landfills each day and has the motto 'changing the world one gift at a time'.

To join the group or to find out more, visit the website at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/eastbourne_freecycle

>> >> Vote in our latest web poll.