Thousands sign petition calling for removal of DIY waste charges at recycling centres

An online petition calling for council bosses to cancel charges for DIY waste at Norfolk's recycling centres has attracted thousands of signatures.

Last month, Norfolk County Council removed a concession which allowed people to leave one large item, or up to 80 litres of DIY waste, at one of its 20 recycling centres for no charge.

That means people are now charged for getting rid of DIY waste such as rubble, plasterboard and flat glass.

The www.change.org petition, urging the council to reverse its decision, has been signed by 5,000 people.

There are concerns that fly-tipping will increase because of the changes.

North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb has questioned the legality of the move and has written to County Hall about it.

The council says government legislation does classify the sort of waste it is charging for as industrial waste, and, by law councils do not have to accept it.