The local recycling centre re-opened to cars at 8am today (July 9) with the first visitor describing the system for pre-booked slots as " brilliant."

Bernard Parfery from Midsomer Norton was the first in line, having booked his place for the first session two days ago.

Cars are booked for 15 minute slots, with up to six cars at a time being allowed in for all the bays. Drivers are asked what kind of waste they have to direct them more efficiently to the right area of the site and, unofficially at least, workers on site will help prioritise key NHS workers.

As Nub News watched today everything was working smoothly, with a small line of cars having number plates checked as they waited, and drivers arriving as asked a few minutes earlier than their designated time.

Bernard, who was dumping garden waste told Nub News: " Its working brilliantly, I booked on line that was easy, new technology is really amazing with this kind of thing."

The Old Welton Recycling Centre will revert to its usual opening hours:

Monday – Friday: 8am-4.15pm

Sunday: 9am-1pm

But residents must pre-book a time. Currently we understand there are no available times until next Wednesday July 15.

To book and for details click here: the B&NES site