DUE to overnight flooding Thurrock's Household Waste and Recycling Centre on Buckingham Hill Road is closed today, the third in succession its gates have been shut.

Thurrock council announced the tip would be closed on Tuesday because of a staff shortage and, though there was no official announcement, it was closed yesterday as well.

This morning (Thursday, 14 January) the council announced: "Due to flooding on site caused by overnight rain, the waste and recycling centre is currently closed. We will provide an update when the site is safe to re-open."

This morning (up to 11.45am,, the tip was restricted only to be used by people with trailers. Under new rules, trailers are only permitted on the site during Thursday mornings and other vehicles are not allowed during that time. The council have given no notice if trailer users will get another slot to make up for the one missed this morniong.