Almost 5,000 people booked to visit Norfolk's tips in the first four days of the new 'click and chuck' system requiring timed slots to get rid of rubbish.

Officials at Norfolk County Council said some people had turned up without having booked slots in the first week when bookings were required, but had been allowed to get rid of rubbish - for now.

The Conservative-controlled council introduced a system whereby people have to pre-book 15-minute slots to take rubbish and recycling to its 18 recycling centres.

A spokeswoman for Norfolk County Council said: "The new booking system for our recycling centres is going really well with almost 5,000 bookings for the first four days.

"People are finding the system quick and simple to use and customers are turning up at their allotted time.

The booking system for Norfolk's recycling centres is now liveThe booking system for Norfolk's recycling centres is now live (Image: Norfolk County Council)

"We have had a minority of customers arriving without a booking but we do understand that some may not have realised booking has started, or not yet got to grips with how to use the system, so staff at our recycling centres have been supporting customers through this period of change and advising them that they must book for future visits."

The booking system went live on November 11, with people needing to book slots from last Monday, November 18.

The changes have been controversial, but the council, which identified £44m of cuts and savings this year and needs to make at least £45m more next year, said it needed to bring in the booking system to reduce costs.

People now have to book slots to take rubbish to Norfolk's tipsPeople now have to book slots to take rubbish to Norfolk's tips (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The authority said it faces a bill of up to £1m because the government abolished some of fees charged for getting rid of household DIY waste.

Critics slammed the move, which follows a decision to shut recycling centres on Wednesdays, saying it will discourage people from recycling and trigger a fly-tipping surge - a claim County Hall has rejected.

Earlier this month, the council also changed how much it charges businesses to get rid of rubbish such as garden waste, rubble, scrap metal, plasterboard and timber at the seven recycling centres which accept it.

The booking system is at www.norfolk.gov.uk/article/62632/Norfolk-Recycling-Centre-bookings and by phone on 0344 800 8020.