Buckinghamshire Council’s nine household recycling centres have switched to winter opening hours as of Thursday, October 1 - that’s 9am to 4pm.

The change happens every year as the sites get quieter and the evenings get darker.

The days on which the tips are open is not changing - Amersham, Aston Clinton, High Wycombe, Beaconsfield, Langley and Buckingham will stay open every day, while Aylesbury, Burnham and Chesham will remain closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Safety rules at the recycling centres still apply during the coronavirus outbreak.

Only visit if you cannot use another method of disposal, bring proof of address, don’t arrive before the sites open, remember social distancing and only allow one person out of the vehicle while on site.

Staff cannot assist with unloading under the rules.

And if the site is busy, visitors are urged to return at another time so long queues do not block access to homes and businesses.

Bill Chapple, Bucks Council’s cabinet member for environment and climate change, said despite the extra safety precautions, the household recycling centres continue to offer a “comprehensive service” for residents.