COUNCIL chiefs yesterdayhave apologised after three waste depots were closed unexpectedly.

People turning up with rubbish at the depots at Catterick, Northallerton and Leeming Bar found themselves being turned away.

One man said: "There was no explanation or any idea of when they might re-open. They simply said a vehicle had broken down."

A council spokesman said it accepted the depots played an important role in the community and apologised for the inconvenience caused by the closures.

He said the situation had been caused by a combination of staffing problems at contractors Biffa and various vehicles breaking down.

It is hoped the Catterick site will be operational again this morning while vehicles are being diverted from further afield to try to clear the backlog at Leeming Bar and Northallerton today.