Bosses of an Oxford organisation which allows people to swap any item for free are celebrating after notching up more than 10,000 members.

Oxford Freecycle is now one of the most successful groups of its type in the UK, after passing the milestone in just three years.

Freecycle, a voluntary organisation, works through the Internet with people giving or receiving goods ranging from antiques to cars.

Richard Snow, who founded the Oxford arm of the group in February 2004, said: "I don't know whether its because Oxford people are particularly affluent, or particularly rich, or have a stronger than usual social conscience, but our growth has been phenomenal - from nil to 10,000 in just three years.

"We are now the third largest group in the country after London and Edinburgh, which is amazing for a comparatively small place."

The only conditions for people advertising with Freecycle, whether its computers or a pushchair your child has grown out of, is that whatever goes on the site must be offered completely free of charge.

Mr Snow said: "People have criticised us because dealers can take things from our site and then sell them on.

"But our objective from the start was to stop stuff going to landfill - and that objective we are achieving whatever happens to the things advertised."

Mr Snow added that he believed Freecycle's popularity reflected a sea change in attitude amongst people to recycling and waste both here and across the UK .

He said: "It's been an incredible story these last three years. Freecycle not only enables people to de-clutter, but also to examine their whole relationship to shopping.

"We are all consumers but why buy a new fridge when you can pick one up on Freecycle for nothing?"

Oxfordshire has ten Freecycle groups and a virtual café where members discuss all things related to recycling as well as where to find a good builder or garage.

The Freecycle idea originated in USA but spread around the world as enterprising recyclers like Mr Snow set up local groups.

Those keen to give Freecycle a try should log on to www.freecycle.org to find a group near them.