Ashby's rubbish tip and recycling centre at Lount could re-open next month.

Leicestershire County Council plans to re-open some waste and recycling centres in the week commencing May 18.

And the Nottingham Road site just outside Ashby may be among those included.

This follows Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick's announcement that he is calling on councils to "plan the organised opening" of household waste recycling centres, provided safe social distancing can be maintained.

A spokesman for Leicestershire County Council said: "We are working towards opening some of our waste sites when government guidelines allow.

"The earliest we'll be able to open is Monday, May 18, to give us time to work on plans that will allow us to implement social distancing, traffic management and clarify which types of items we'll be able to take.

"It will also ensure district councils are able to collect green and bulky waste prior to our waste sites reopening, which should ensure they are not overwhelmed when first opened.

"In the meantime, waste sites remain closed and people are urged not to have large scale clear outs and to hold onto their waste until it can be disposed of properly. Please keep checking Leicestershire.gov.uk for the latest information."

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The calls comes amid concerns that rubbish is piling up in people's homes.

Recycling centres across the country were shut down last month as part of the Government's social distancing rules.

"Our bin men and women have done a fantastic job maintaining the vast majority of collections," Mr Jenrick told MPs.

"The Government published advice to councils on how to ensure the safety of refuse collections on April 7. I can announce that I am asking councils to plan the organised opening of household waste collection sites."

Mr Jenrick said sites should reopen within weeks, adding that officials would release updated guidance for councils to ensure their safe operation.

The closures, coupled with the suspension of bulky waste collection, have led to a spike in fly-tipping.

Charities and councils have been pleading with residents not to embark on major clear outs to try and control the situation, but fears are mounting that keeping excess or hazardous waste in the home could endanger public health.

Leicestershire County Council's chief executive, John Sinnott announced moves were under way to re-open the recycling centres.

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Mr Sinnott also urged district councils start up garden waste and bulky item collections two weeks ahead of the he sites, in an attempt to prevent them being "overwhelmed".

And North West Leicestershire District Council have already re-introduced garden waste collections starting this week.

But collections of cardboard are still suspended for the moment.