Hour-long queues for free hazardous waste scheme

Some people told the BBC they had waited in the queue for the recycling centre for about an hour

Queues of up to an hour have been reported by people wanting to get rid of fridge freezers, paint and other hazardous waste for free.

Norfolk County Council usually charges residents to offload the items but is holding an 'amnesty' over the weekend.

The event at Norwich North Recycling Centre and Reuse Shop in Horsham St Faith proved popular.

Vivienne Nichols, from Norwich, said she had been waiting about an hour and called the queues "downright ridiculous".

Waiting to dispose of tins of paint, she said: "You've got to wait in great big queues like this just to bring a few tins of paint."

However, she said she would not be paying on a normal day.

"We are pensioners, we can't afford to keep doing that."

She suggested the council should do this every month or every day.

This weekend residents will be able to dispose of items including chemicals and gas cylinders for free

Catrina, who did not want to give her surname, from Taverham, said she was trying to get rid of gardening waste.

"I have no idea how long it's going to be but I hope it's going to be within 50 minutes, if not I will be turning round as I have an appointment to get to," she said.

"I've got a eucalyptus tree. This is only a third of it, I have got another two loads to go."

Vivienne Nichols, who was sat in the queue waiting to get rid of some tins of paint, said the wait was "downright ridiculous"

Ali Williams, from Sustead in North Norfolk, said she had waited about 20 minutes in the queue and was able to bring some bigger items to the centre.

She said: "We have brought a fridge freezer from the village hall and we have brought loads of guff that needed chucking out, and two fire extinguishers."

Ms Williams was full of praise for the staff.

"They are brilliant, I think they've done a really good job," she said.

"They have kept everybody moving and it's fine. I just wish we had brought a cup of tea."

During the weekend, residents will be able to bring aerosols, pesticides, fertilisers, decorating equipment including paint cans and paint thinners, as well as gas cylinders.

Household waste days will be held by the council at sites across the county between October and mid November including in Thetford, Caister, King's Lynn, Dereham and Norwich, and booking is not required.