A SURVEY aiming to discover what users of Darlington's main recycling centre think of the service will be launched this week.

The Whessoe Road tip is due to close at the end of September for about six weeks, while a £750,000 upgrade is carried out.

The developments will include new security measures, more large skips to make it easier to sort waste, ramps to allow drivers to get material from their vehicles into the skips and Portakabin-style buildings for staff.

But before the work begins, the borough council is carrying out a survey to find out what people think about the tip and what they would like the site to provide.

People visiting the site up to Friday, September 23, will be randomly selected to give their views.

Once it has reopened, the centre will provide the means to sort and recycle green waste, timber, cardboard, material, bric-a-brac, gas bottle, glass, paper, tyres and soil.

Trade waste will still be banned from the site.

Stephen Harker, council cabinet member for environmental services, said: "The new tip will be a great facility for the community and we want to know what people think of the plans and what they would like to say before the work starts."

For more information on the temporary closure, telephone the council on (01325) 388799.