Dereham's new �1m recycling centre is on track to open before Christmas, it was confirmed this week.

The state-of-the-art facility, at Trafalgar Business park, off Rash's Green, is expected to deal with 6,000 tonnes of rubbish a year and will finally replace the old site at nearby Beetley, which closed in October 2004.

It is set to become the county's eighth main recycling site with low-level bins, covered walkways, parking and a re-use shop, and residents will no need to drive to Norwich or Ashill, near Watton, with their waste.

Norfolk County Council said good progress had been made and Dereham's six-year wait for a new centre should be over next month.

'The site is really beginning to take shape now and the construction team has been able to take maximum advantage of the long spell of dry weather that we've enjoyed over the last few weeks,' said county councillor Bill Borrett, cabinet member for environment and waste,

'I'm delighted that such good progress has been made, but there's still lots to do. If all goes well, I am very confident that we will be open for business by Christmas and that the people of Dereham and surrounding communities can start to use this great new facility as soon as possible and help boost Norfolk's recycling rates,' he added.

The next stages of the project will see the exit road re-surfaced and the slab at the site completed.

Council engineers will then hand over to contractor May Gurney, who will start installing the recycling bins and building the shop.

'Good progress has been made concreting the main slab. The welfare building structure is finished and now being fitted out inside,' said project engineer Quentin Brogdale.