Wagons rolled for the last time from a council depot yesterday.

A total of 25 refuse wagons drove out of the Warrenby Depot, Redcar, which has been the refuse service's operational headquarters for 30 years.

The crews will in future be based in a more worker-friendly setting, at Fairway House, in Dormanstown.

Councillor Bob Stanway, cabinet member for environmental improvement with Redcar and Cleveland Council, told a recent council meeting: "The staff at Warrenby deserve a special mention.

"They have worked tirelessly to respond to the demands in adverse conditions and without complaint.

"That's why I'm delighted to see the closure of Warrenby - the move to Fairway House can't come soon enough."

The Warrenby depot is to be converted into a recycling centre to help keep pace with growing demands.

Coun Stanway said many people across the borough were separating their rubbish for recycling. However, he said: "We still have much to do - as many householders are still confused or not participating.

"We will continue to support the community and each and every household that is identified as having a problem or not co-operating will be approached in order to see what can be done.''

Statistics show that about 70 per cent of the waste deposited at Warrenby is being recycled.