ONE man's trash is another man's treasure - that is the thinking behind a fun and practical new internet site launched in Taunton this week.

The new website encourages people in the town to recycle consumer goods by giving away anything they no longer need from electrical goods to furniture.

The website's founder, who goes by the mysterious name of The Big Bear, set up the site in response to seeing perfectly serviceable items being dumped at the household recycling site.

He said: “I realised that some people were dumping perfectly good items like baby stair-gates, patio furniture, and computers, while another bunch were in the high street buying the exact same stuff. It seemed like such a waste.

“Many of those buying new would have been perfectly happy with a used item for free, and many of those dumping stuff would've been over the moon to have someone take it off their hands and put it to good use.”

The free, non-profit website lets members list items they no longer need, as well as search the site and set e-mail alerts for things they need. When a match is found members say they 'want it' and a deal is sealed, with no money changing hands.

Currently offered on the site are a logitech USB stereo headset, 1GB of laptop RAM, a Roger and Gallet teapot, a Canon camera flash memory card, a computer desk, CD case, a mobile phone and much more.

The Big Bear hopes to sign up 1,000 members in Taunton in its first month in a bid to recycle consumer goods, reduce waste and landfill and conserve raw materials.

To access the website, click on the related link.