The sunny weather combined with lockdown has resulted in long queues at Cornwall's recycling centres over the past week.

Cornwall Council was forced to put out a warning yesterday (Monday), following up a similar notice posted on Friday.

It described some of its household waste and recycling centres (HMRC) as being "extremely busy" and reminded people that the number plate system was still in place.

The council said on Monday: "Some of our household waste and recycling centres are extremely busy today.

"Use your kerbside rubbish and recycling collections wherever possible and if you can store items safely for the time being please do.

"A number plate entry system remains in place so make sure you go on the right day."

All centres have remained open during the latest national lockdown, but a number plate system is still in operation to protect the wellbeing of site staff and residents.

It means you can only visit the centre on the corresponding day for your vehicle. If the last digit of your vehicle number plate is even – 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 - then you should only visit a HWRC on an even date of the month, eg 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th etc.

For example, if your number plate is RL34 JGS, the last digit is 4 – an even number – so you may visit on even dates of the month.

Even numbers include the number 0 (zero).

If the last digit of your number plate is odd – 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 – then you should only visit an HWRC on an odd date of the month, e.g. 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th etc.

If you have a personalised number plate the last digit of your number plate indicates the date you may visit the sites.

The council predicts long queues on its website, warning: "We anticipate high demand and there are likely to be queues. We may have to ask you to come back at a later date if queues become too long.

"Please sort your material out at home to limit the time you have to spend on the site.

"Some of the sites have traffic management measures in place such as changes to the route you access the sites."

Centres are accepting all the different kinds of materials they normally take but do not accept trade waste.

They do however accept additional chargeable waste such as hardcore, soil, tyres, plasterboard or asbestos, through card payments only.

The council adds: "Please hang onto anything that is reusable until charities are able to take them. There will be people in need of your reusable items."

The following sites are open from 9am to 4pm, seven days a week:

Bodmin HWRC

Bude HWRC

Connon Bridge HWRC

Dudnance Lane, Pool, please note Dudnance Lane does not accept general waste

Falmouth and Penryn HWRC

Helston HWRC

Launceston HWRC

Newquay HWRC

Saltash HWRC

St Austell HWRC

St Day (United Downs) HWRC

St Erth (Hayle) HWRC

Tintagel (Bowithick) ope

Truro HWRC