Atherstone's closest recycling centre, Lower House Farm, is to update its opening times in time for Easter weekend.

From 1 April recycling centre summer opening hours will begin, with new opening hours of 8:30am to 5:30pm on weekends.

The opening hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday will be 9:30am to 3pm, with late closing of 6pm on Wednesdays.

The longer hours will add an extra 2,000 bookable slots each week, with nearly 16,000 slots in total released each week, across Warwickshire.

Booking is required for a 15 minute slot for a car and there are also 30 minute slots for a car and small trailer on certain days at Lower House Farm, one of only three sites in the county to offer this.

Residents are reminded to not visit the recycling centres if they have Covid symptoms, have been tested positive for Covid and are self-isolating, or have been advised to self-isolate due to being in contact with someone with Covid.

Any contaminated waste, such as tissues or masks, should be double-bagged and quarantined for 72 hours before disposal.

Mark Ryder, Strategic Director of the Communities Directorate, said: "Local authority waste workers have been heroes over the past year, delivering waste disposal and recycling services in circumstances made difficult by the pandemic.

"I want to thank householders in Warwickshire, who have also been recycling heroes. Thanks to efforts to separate out recycling in homes up and down the county, the recycling rate for Warwickshire has risen.

"Information about recycling will be kept up to date on the web over the holidays, including how to book an appointment to a recycling centre. The appointments lead to an efficient visit, with much-reduced queues. Please separate your waste streams for recycling as you pack your car. Recycling all that you can at home and at the recycling centre is one easy way for householders to cut their carbon emissions and help our environment."

Reuse shops at the recycling centres are closed due to current restrictions on non-essential retail. Details of reuse shop reopening will be announced on social media and through the charity websites when reopening becomes possible.