TWO visitors who went to drop off their recycling to Redbridge Household Waste Centre say  they were asked whether their trip was 'essential'.

But Oxford County Council, who run the waste centre, said this would not have happened as Household Waste and Recycling Centres [HWRCs] are able to remain open, even if an area is under the highest coronavirus restrictions.

A spokesperson for the council said: "In short, none of this is true.

Read here: What would a Tier 5 lockdown look like?

"The Government have been quite clear that HWRCs all over England are an essential service and should be open. Oxfordshire’s are open. The police have not been to site.

We do not visitors ask if a trip is essential, although we would encourage this in line with Tier 4 restrictions."

Oxfordshire county entered Tier 4 restrictions on Boxing Day, with the Health Secretary Matt Hancock putting three quarters of the country under the same measures on December 30.

Read here: Car abandoned in flooded car park

In Tier 4, the Government guidance is that only 'essential journeys' should be made, such as for work or education purposes.

On the Government's Coronavirus guidance and support page, however, it does state that trips to household waste centres are classified as being essential.

The guidance said: "There are no restrictions on undertaking a journey to a HWRC in the local area to dispose of waste.

"You should continue to follow government guidance including that on staying alert and safe and on social distancing.

"Householders should still check with the local authority whether their local HWRC is open and also any local restrictions on waste accepted."

Oxfordshire currently has no restrictions on HWRC's.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445.