RESIDENTS in parts of East Lancashire are reminded that the opening hours of some recycling centres will change later this week.

From Friday, sites under Lancashire County Council control will operate from 9am to 5pm all year round.

Currently the centres are open from 8am to 7pm in summer, and 8am to 5pm during the winter. A county council spokesman said surveys show that visitor numbers are relatively low at either end of the day.

The county’s quieter sites at Barnoldswick, Clitheroe, Haslingden and Longridge will also close two days during the week, but will all be open on Fridays.

The county council’s cabinet agreed the changes earlier this year following a public consultation, which the authority say was in order to help it balance its budget while minimising the impact on how people use the sites.

People are asked to check when the recycling centres are open before visiting by searching for ‘waste and recycling’ at www.lancashire.gov.uk.