A PETITION has been launched to save a town's tip.

Residents and councillors have hit back at the rumoured proposals to shut Dovercourt Recycling Centre, which they say is a popular and vital facility for the town.

Maps leaked to the Standard last week revealed proposals to close a number of Recycling Centres in Essex to save cash.

But drivers trying to use the West End Lane site, which would be merged with Lawford 13 miles away in the plans, over the bank holiday weekend said they were stuck in long queues of more than half an hour, proving its necessity for residents.

Harwich Labour councillors have set up a petition calling for the Dovercourt Tip to be protected.

Maria Fowler, labour councillor for Harwich West Central, where the tip is based, said: "In my opinion it's absolute madness.

"Flytipping will be everywhere, there is already flytipping outside the tip when it's closed."

For more details about the petition visit www.facebook.com/PetitiontoSaveDovercourtTip