CONTROVERSIAL plans to overhaul the opening times of some East Lancashire tips have been rubberstamped by county council bosses.

Household waste recycling centres at Clitheroe, Haslingden, Barnoldswick and Longridge will be curtailed by two days per week from October 1.

And opening hours at county-run sites in Altham, Burnley and Chorley will be reduced from 8am to 7pm in the summer and 8am to 5pm in the winter to 9am to 5pm all year round.

County officials say Friday closures will be avoided, as this is often a busy period before weekends.

Environmental chiefs also insist there has been no evidence of increased fly-tipping occurring following previous waste service reductions.

County Cllr John Fillis, Labour's deputy leader, said: "This will without doubt reduce recycling and increase fly tipping, leaving the borough councils to clear it up and local people to pay the price.

"This has not been a saving by Lancashire but passing the buck to others to pick up the bill."