ASSURANCES have been sought over the future of Dunbar Recycling Centre.

East Lothian was left with three recycling centres following the “temporary” closure of the facility in Macmerry last month.

Cash-strapped East Lothian Council confirmed that facility was shutting due to the retirement of a member of staff and a “current council recruitment freeze and a need for financial savings”.

READ MORE: Macmerry: Recycling centre to 'temporarily' close within weeks

Councillor Norman Hampshire, leader of the council, highlighted the difficult position the local authority was in.

He said: “We have got a freeze on any new employees unless it is social care or something absolutely urgent.

“We have taken the decision not to fill that position at Macmerry and moved the other person to Wallyford and mothballed that site until such times we see where we are going forward.”

The closure of the facility at Macmerry leaves the county with recycling centres at Kinwegar, Wallyford; North Berwick; and Dunbar.

Mr Hampshire told Dunbar Community Council that it did mean some people would have to travel further to recycle items.

READ MORE: Concerns about 'knock-on' effects of Macmerry Recycling Centre closure

The Dunbar and East Linton ward councillor stressed that, although there was no date for reopening the facility in Macmerry, there was no suggestion of any imminent closure in Dunbar.

He said: “We have high levels of recyclate and want to keep it going because it saves us a lot of money.”

Currently, East Lothian residents have six separate bins or containers for every household: a green household waste bin; brown garden waste bin; blue recycling box for paper and cardboard; a black or green box for glass; a white bag for plastic, metal and cartons; and a food waste caddy.

A charge will be introduced for garden waste collection at the beginning of July next year.