Lyrical wordsmith Mike Livingston is spreading the recycling message with his own rap - after becoming increasingly frustrated during his morning round collecting peoples' bins.

Mike, known as Mike the Hyype, came up with The Recycling Song during cold early morning winter rounds picking up recycling bins for Slough Borough Council that had had the wrong items put in them.

As he explained yet again how the bins should be used the rap started whirling round his head.

Converting the music into a track came after a chance conversation between Mike and the council’s chief executive Josie Wragg.

Then with the expert skills of the council’s youth advisor Karl Drummond, also known as Reggae producer ‘Fresharda’ the rap was laid down with the music. DJ/Producer Stevoss who manages Britwell Youth & Community Project’s Recording Studio was also drafted in on the project.

The communications team’s Daniya Kayani then created the video for the rap along with media agency Voss Arts Media LTD.

It debuted at the council’s staff conference where Slough resident Mike received a rapturous response with staff singing along.

Mike, who has a range of musical influences from UK urban to Jamaican music and likes to compose raps about anything in his family life, is also known to sing during his rounds.

He said: “On the rounds we meet people who get frustrated when their bins aren’t collected because there is something in them which we can’t take away to be processed.

“But when you take the time to talk to them and explain why, they listen and understand.

“Sometimes if you give a little you get a lot in return.

Councillor Rob Anderson, cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “Our fantastic staff have such wonderful hidden talents and we are so pleased they are happy to share them with us to promote the services they work in."

The council accepts JUST Four items in the red bin and they are drink and food cans, plastic in the shape of bottles, glass jars and bottles and clean and dry paper and cardboard.

For more information about what can go in go to www.slough.gov.uk/recycling.