HOUSEHOLD waste recycling centres across Wirral are now open for an extra three hours every day.

Provided by Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) and operated by resource management company Veolia, they are now open from 8am until 8pm, seven days a week.

Tips accept a range of household materials for recycling, from batteries, cans and cardboard, through to garden clippings, glass bottles, wood, and white goods. Lesser known items such as takeaway food and drink cartons, clothes, hard plastics and electrical items can also be disposed of at tips.

Householders can check www.merseysidewda.gov.uk for details of what can be accepted at their local site.

The centres provide a popular service for residents and can become extremely busy at peak times so visits should be planned carefully.

Carl Beer, chief executive of MRWA, said: "Social distancing is still being enforced in England which means there are restrictions on all our sites for the safety and the health of both staff and visitors, hence there are only a certain number of cars allowed on site at any one time.

"All householders should follow site staff instructions if they do choose to visit any Recycling Centre. Sites are busy so we would ask anybody visiting to try and avoid the busy periods, especially Bank Holidays, if possible and be patient if they have to queue.

"Our main message remains the same as it has done since we reopened in May - that people should visit their Recycling Centre only if it is essential.

"If waste can be disposed or recycled through kerbside collections, or if items can be reused or repurposed, then please do so."

More information on what you can do with your household waste items can be found at www.recycleright.org.uk.

There is also a temporary allocation system in place for those who wish to visit a HWRC in a van or with a large trailer, this is while the existing Van Permit Scheme is suspended.

Bookings for this system can be made at www.merseysidewda.gov.uk.