PITSEA recycling centre saw people waiting in a queue for more than two hours this morning.

Council urged residents not to flock down to the centres tomorrow after after it was announced that they would re-open today after being closed for weeks.

However, dozens of cars showed up from 8am this morning, and queues were still long at midday.

Carmen Dumitrascu, 35, from Pitsea, said: "I was there from 8.50am until 11.30am. When I arrived I was by Pitsea train station.

"There were about 30 cars in front of me and in the two hours I was there only one guy abandoned his trip.

"I had to come today as I had swings being delivered tomorrow and needed to make the space."

Maurice Freeman, said: "There were at least 40 odd cars all the way back to the A13 slip road when I drove past this morning.

"It was crazy. I came back the same way about an hour or so later and it didn't look any different at all.

"I just don't understand why you would want to sit in that and why you wouldn't come back when it's less busy."

Karen Flack, posted on Facebook: "Just passed tip que at Pitsea, was a joke! Right back to slip road on A13!"

Council's have tried to ensure that residents only use the recycling centres when there is no alternative.

New site restrictions and social distancing measures are in place to ensure the safety of residents and site staff.