People will get the chance to get rid of those half-filled paint pots piling up in the corner of sheds, thanks to waste amnesties at the county's recycling centres.

Eastern Daily Press: Traffic queueing. Picture: ANTONY KELLYTraffic queueing. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2015)

Toxic chemicals, such as paint, wood preservatives, insecticides, weed killers, varnishes and cleaning products can be disposed of at a series of household hazardous waste events.

The events, which often lead to long queues of drivers looking to offload items too dangerous to tip down drains or put in the normal rubbish, will take place at seven of Norfolk County Council's recycling centres next month and in October.

There will be a designated area at the recycling centre for people to take their hazardous waste, which will be identified by two waste specialists and a chemist and then sorted for correct transportation and disposal.

To help with this identification and sorting people are urged to:

• Keep containers clearly labelled

• Keep all products in their original containers and not mix them together

• Make sure products are properly sealed to avoid leakage

Janice Coglin-Hibbert, waste reduction officer at Norfolk County Council, said: 'These are very popular events so you are likely to find queues, especially up until lunchtime, to enter the recycling centres.

'The sites are open until 5pm in September and 4pm in October so come later in the day if possible.'

Martin Wilby, chairman of Norfolk County Council's environment, development and transport committee, said: 'We're putting on extra dates at the recycling centres that were most popular last year as we're keen to help people who are wishing to dispose of their household chemicals safely and responsibly.

'Many people may be able to save themselves a journey as left over paint can be dried out and put in your household rubbish bin.

'To help speed along the drying out process a top tip is to add sawdust or cat litter to the paint pot.

'We'd always urge people to try to only buy what they need and use up what's left over but know that's not always possible so people can just drop the dried up paint in the waste bin at home.'

Ammunition, explosives or marine flares, asbestos, commercial hazardous waste, fireworks, gas canisters and petrol will not be accepted.

These are the recycling centres where you can take your hazardous waste:

All are open from 9am until 5pm in September and until 4pm in October.

King's Lynn, Willows Business Park, Saddlebow: Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17

Caister, Pump Lane: Saturday, September 23 and Sunday, September 24

Hempton, Hellhoughton Road, Fakenham: Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1

Mayton Wood, Little Hautbois, Coltishall: Friday, October 6, Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8

Thetford, Telford Way: Saturday, October 14 and Sunday, October 15

Dereham, Trafalgar Business Park: Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 22

Ketteringham, Station Lane, Hethersett: Friday, October 27, Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29