Defiant volunteer Alan Nunn, who runs the Peninsula recycling centre, is looking to keep the essential service open for users and to prevent potential fly-tipping.

Mr Nunn believes he can safely open and operate the tip as usual, but will ban any non-peninsula users from trying to dispose of their rubbish the centre, located on the main road between Chelmondiston and Shotley,.

He aims to stay in his vehicle to monitor users, and leave an honesty pot on the bonnet of his truck so locals can pay as usual.

"I have every intention of opening as usual as this is an important service for the people of the peninsula," said Mr Nunn. "If people are sensible, wait their turn and stay away from each other then we should all be okay as no-one will be in contact with the material.

"This is for peninsula people only, I know the locals and we don't want people coming fro everywhere else to use it.

"I can understand why Suffolk is closing other centres to an extent, but I can see an even bigger rise in fly-tipping."

Opening times and more details of the site situated within the Babergh district can be found here: peninsula recycling centre.

All other Suffolk Recycling Centres will close from now until further notice.

Suffolk county council insist the safety of customers and staff is very important, therefore in accordance with current government Coronavirus guidelines of avoiding non-essential contact and preventing a risk of infection to others, the sites will close as is essential the council does all it can to slow down the spread of the virus.

Much of the waste that goes through the Recycling Centres is bulky waste (large items such as furniture, wood and metals) and garden waste. People should hold onto these items until the sites reopen. Do not put any electrical items in any of your bins at home.

Where possible people should compost grass cuttings and hedge trimmings and if you can't do that, keep your garden waste until the sites reopen. For more information on how to compost at home please visit: www.suffolkrecycling.org.uk/reduce-your-waste/home-composting

Please do not leave any waste outside the Recycling Centres or any other public place – staff should concentrate on delivering waste services, and leaving waste outside the centres or anywhere else is classed as fly tipping and is a criminal offence for which people will be prosecuted.

FCC Environment staff, who operate the Recycling Centres on behalf of Suffolk County Council, may be redeployed to assist other essential services across Suffolk if needed during the Covid-19 pandemic.