Rubbish tip staff return

Staffordshire's tips re-opened-this morning after they were shut for a three-day walkout over pay.

Thousands were turned away from the county's dumps, including the Poplars tip in Cannock, over the weekend after staff went on strike over a 2.47 per cent pay offer.

Householders expecting to drop off waste were met by locked gates and picket lines at 13 sites county wide.

Other sites affected included those at Stafford, Stone, Bilbrook, Wombourne, Lichfield, Burntwood, Rugeley and Burton, causing disruptions at one of the busiest times of the year.

As a result, some neighbouring councils ordered their tip staff to demand identification from drivers to stop Staffordshire residents using their centres.

The three-day walkout took place between 6am on Friday and 6am today.