RECYCLING centres will step up user residency checks in a bid to reduce unauthorised use of the sites.

There are four Sort It! recycling sites in South Gloucestershire, including one in Thornbury and another in Yate.

Concerns have been raised about industrial fly tipping at the sites and South Gloucestershire Council will now improve its measures to check for use by non-residents.

Every tonne of waste tipped by unauthorised users, such as non-residents or commercial traders, costs the council £100 per tonne to process.

Residency checks have been in place since 2008 but these have now been stepped up and visitors to the sites may be asked to provide proof of both identification and residency.

Any official documents that can confirm both types of information -- such as driver’s licenses, utility bills, Council Tax bills or passports – are acceptable.

Further information on South Gloucestershire’s waste and recycling services is available from www.southglos.gov.uk/recycling