FIVE locations across Wirral are earmarked as potential new landfill sites for Merseyside?s waste, the Daily Post can reveal.

A report, which aims to find locations for waste disposal in the region, also highlights 10 other Wirral sites for different types of waste facilities.

Merseyside is desperately trying to improve its recycling rates and cut down on landfill, with swingeing new landfill taxes shortly to be introduced by the European Union.

But several new areas to simply dump waste in the ground have nevertheless been identified in a report by the Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service (MEAS).

It is likely those sites highlighted in the report to Wirral Council will also be supplemented with others around the region.

Those identified as potential landfill sites are at Irby Quarry, at Irby Mill; the North Wirral Brickworks, Carr Lane, in Hoylake; Moreton Landfill, at the Old Brickworks, Tarran Way, Moreton; along with Prenton Quarry, Prenton Dell; and Lower Farm, Roman Road, both in Prenton.

It also highlights seven other smaller Wirral sites for waste disposal, including three in Bidston and St James ward, two in Rock Ferry and two in Seacombe.

Last month, the Daily Post revealed that two incinerators designed to convert rubbish into energy instead of burying it could be built in any of 11 locations in Merseyside, including two sites in Wirral.

A ?long list? of Merseyside sites deemed suitable for ?thermal treatments? of waste was drawn up following a trawl of the city-region. Burning rubbish and turning the heat into electricity is being considered as a solution to the region?s over-dependence on landfill which will soon be subject to prohibitive taxes.

Last night, a statement by the MEAS said landfill was ?a last resort?.

?There will always be a small amount of waste that can only be disposed of in landfill.

?It is with this in mind that landfill disposal opportunities are being assessed in the sub-region but only as a means of a last resort for waste disposal,? it said.

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