These were the scenes at Lount Tip on Monday morning as the Ashby refuse site opened for the first time since lockdown measures were eased.

It was made clear beforehand that you would need to make an appointment and no-one could turn up on the day hoping to get in otherwise.

The approaches to the refuse centre were well signposted in advance, making it clear you could only visit if you had permission.

And cones were in place along Nottingham Road so that drivers waiting to gain entrance to the site could pull into the centre of the road, while allowing other motorists to pass by safely.

The system was working as it should when the site opened on Monday morning - although it is believed a handful showed up without an appointment.

Cars were let in as other vehicles left the centre and social distancing measures were in place.

But Leicestershire County Council reported high demand for bookings and tweeted this message mid-morning: "Do you really need to visit a waste site? Please bear with us if you are trying to book a slot - we're experiencing extremely high volumes of web traffic.

"If you can't get onto the system, please try again later, rather than calling us. We really appreciate your patience."

The County Council released details last week of how the site would be working and those are still in place.

They said: Leicestershire County Council has launched a booking system so sites are not overwhelmed Leicestershire waste and recycling

Confirmation emails will have to be shown on arrival at the North West Leicestershire refuse site on Nottingham Road near Ashby - and those without an appointment will be turned away.

Coalville's Linden Way tip remains closed for the moment.

The authority is asking people to only visit the seven sites that will be open – Lount, Barwell, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Mountsorrel, Oadby and Whetstone – if they cannot safely store the rubbish at home.

Councillor Trevor Pendleton, county council cabinet member for waste disposal, said: "I want to thank residents for their support around the measures which the council has taken to date, and would welcome their continued support to ensure the arrangements we are putting in place can operate successfully.

"We want our sites to work as efficiently as they can, while prioritising the health and safety of residents and our staff, so I would ask for patience during the first few days of operation.

"Please don't visit our sites, unless waste is creating an issue at home that could cause injury or harm – and you will need a confirmed booking to be allowed on to the site."

A spokesperson for the authority said that the council is anticipating there will be a high level of demand for bookings and added that more slots will be made available over the coming weeks.

Social distancing will be in operation at the sites, and plans will also include traffic management arrangements. There will be parking restrictions in place around the immediate vicinity of the waste sites.

There will also be restrictions on the type of items people will be able to bring to county locations – so some waste types will still have to wait.

Visit Leicestershire waste bookings to reserve a slot

The type of waste that can be accepted includes:

• Garden waste

• Wood and chipboard

• Non-recyclable household waste e.g. black bags or items that don't fit in your wheelie bin

• Hardcore and soil (charges apply – card payments only, taken contactless on site)

• Plasterboard (charges apply – card payments only, taken contactless on site)

Households will only be able to book one appointment per fortnight.

Vans and pick up trucks can only book appointments for Wednesday mornings, people can book appointments to visit the site Monday – Friday between 9.15am and 4.15pm.

• Cars: sites will be open seven days a week and you can book an appointment from 9.15am to 4.15pm (4x4s are cars as long as they are not modified, and all seats are forward facing)

• Vans: Can only book on Wednesday mornings (Vans include pick-up trucks and any vehicles constructed, intended or adapted for the carriage of goods)

• You are not permitted to bring a trailer to these sites