Opening hours at the recycling unit off the A426, between Southam and Dunchurch, have been cut now facilities at Hunter's Lane in Rugby have reopened.

From operating daily from 9am to 4.30pm, for the past seven months, the centre will now only open at weekends and on Mondays.

Members of the environmental group, Long Itchington and Surrounding Villages For the Earth (LIFE), had feared this would happen once the Rugby centre had been refurbished. LIFE urged Warwickshire County Council officials to change their mind.

LIFE's Alison Byrne said: "If it was open all week, more people would be able to access it. If it hasn't been used very much, they have good reason to reduce it but every time I have been there it has been really busy."

Mrs Byrne, who helped found the 40-strong group, believes the new refuse collection service that began on Monday will mean people making fewer trips to the site. But items such as electrical goods, light bulbs and Tetra Paks, which are used for drinks cartons, cannot be placed in the red recycling boxes.

Mrs Byrne said: "It's important that people recycle as much as they can to not only cut down on the amount of waste going to landfill sites but to re-use materials.

"We were worried that it would revert back to weekend-only opening, so are pleased it is going to open on Mondays as well and hope people will make use of it."

The council intends to close the centre on Mondays after August.

LIFE members will have a stall at Long Itchington spring show on Saturday, from 1pm to 4pm.

l The centre will open from 9am to 4.30pm, Saturday to Monday. For information on other recycling sites, call the Waste Management Team on 412593 or visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/waste

A county council spokesperson said: "The improved recycling facilities at Stockton have proved popular in recent months but it is not clear yet what numbers will continue to use the centre following the re-opening of Hunters Lane Recycling Centre.

"The works on the Rugby Western Relief Road are also having an impact. However, as a result of local demand we are opening the recycling centre for an extra day until August and will be monitoring demand at the centre over the next few months."