An update has been given on whether recycling centres in west Cornwall are to stay open during the new national Covid lockdown.

Cabinet member Rob Nolan says the government has today confirmed that recycling centres at United Downs, Redruth, Falmouth, Helston, Newquay and St Erth will stay open when the national lockdown starts on Thursday.

However, he said the odd/even number plate recognition will remain in place.

Replying on Twitter to a query from a member of the public, Mr Nolan, Portfolio holder for Environment and Public Protection, said: "Hot News! We are assured by the Minister that HWRC’s can stay open! Phew! But the odd/even number plate system will continue."

During the first lockdown flytipping increased in Cornwall as more people with nothing to do cleared out their homes of rubbish.

The council has been putting together bespoke plans, including traffic management and social distancing systems, to protect the safety of site users and staff.

If it is not satisfied that a site is operating safely, or if traffic congestion is creating issues on the public roads, then facilities may be closed at short notice.

The centres will be open for essential use only, meaning general rubbish (black bag waste or bulky items) and garden waste that cannot be stored safely at home without risk of injury or harm to health.

To help alleviate some pressure the council will continue operating traffic management systems and restricting when people can visit a centre, using a vehicle number plate system.

This means that if the last digit of your number plate is an odd number - 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 - you may only visit a centre on an odd date of the month, such as November 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 etc.

If the last digit of your vehicle number plate is an even number – 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 - then you may only visit a centre on an even date of the month - for exampleNovember 20, 22, 24, 26 etc.