RESIDENTS dumping rubbish at a recycling centre are being warned they could be fined £2,500 and the site closed.

Hambleton District Council runs a site at Tesco, on Station Road, Thirsk, with recycling bins for many items.

Over the last few weeks it has been heavily used with glass, paper, plastic bottles, textiles, cartons and cans left there.

Residents have also left masses of cardboard and other plastics which cannot be recycled there.

Anyone caught leaving items which can not be re-used at the site will be fined £80 and if a later court prosecution is needed it could be £2,500.

Council staff have had to work extra hours to keep it clean and now Tesco store managers are threatening to remove it.

Lucy Woodall, the district’s recycling officer, said: "All the banks will be emptied again this week and the debris has been cleared away.

"The adverse weather conditions have meant emptying the banks has been difficult but extra banks were placed there to deal with the problem.

"We will be closely monitoring the site and if anyone is spotted littering they will be fined. If the banks are full we ask people to take their recyclables home or visit another centre.

"We do not want to lose this facility but if it is not used correctly that is what will happen."