Following the much-anticipated reopening of recycling centres, including the Knowle Hill site in Exmouth; staff have had to deal with a huge demand for the services.

A leading councillor has slammed members of the public who have verbally abused staff at reopened recycling centres in the local area.

Cllr Andrea Davis, cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Development and Waste, called the behaviour of a minority of people 'appalling and totally unacceptable'.

The recycling centres reopened last week for essential use only, and social distancing means the number of vehicles safely allowed within the sites is roughly a third to a half the usual capacity.

Site staff are unable to assist visitors with unloading of waste, and security guards have been stationed outside of the centres to protect staff, the public, and ensure the rules are followed.

Residents displaying coronavirus symptoms, are asked not to visit the recycling centres, while only cars without trailers, with a maximum of two adults per vehicle, will be permitted on site.

To keep unloading times to a minimum, trailers, vans, pick-ups and commercial vehicles will not be granted access for the time being and payments on site must be by credit/debit card only

Cllr Davis said: "The gate staff are there to protect staff and the public by ensuring that the 'one-in, one-out' policy is followed.

"Additionally they ensure that cars with trailers, vans or pickups do not use our sites. The vehicle restriction is a temporary measure to ensure queues are kept to a minimum.

"This will be reviewed once demand has dropped to more manageable levels.

"However a minority of the public have verbally abused our staff for doing their jobs and this kind of behaviour is appalling and totally unacceptable.

"Most of us are grateful and supportive of our key workers, so let's be kind to our key workers, please."