A TIP that takes more than 22,000 tonnes of waste a year is to be given an £800,000 facelift.

The Stonefall site, on Wetherby Road, in Harrogate, is the only tip in the town and the busiest in the county.

Council officers are planning to build two levels, so that people will have to drop their waste over a railing, rather than lift it into skips.

Members of the public will be kept separate from lorries taking the waste away and the number of skips for recyclable waste will be increased.

County councillors on the Harrogate area committee will hear details of the plans at a meeting on Thursday.

Councillor John Fort, executive member for environmental services, said: "We have a unique opportunity to increase recycling and reduce traffic congestion in the area at the same time. The proposals being discussed will put the Stonefall site up there with the best in the country."

The committee will also hear that controversial proposals to build a new tip at Oak Beck Park in Harrogate are likely to be dropped as the site is too small.

More than 40 people living nearby had objected to the plans.

Work is now starting on trying to find a new site to serve the west of Harrogate, and the council is in the final stages of securing sites in Knaresborough and Boroughbridge.

Coun Fort said: "We're currently reviewing where and how we provide the community recycling centre service throughout North Yorkshire.

"I have no doubt that this will confirm that another centre to serve Harrogate should be a high priority."