COUNCIL bosses are to press ahead with the expansion of a waste recycling centre in Darlington.

An ecological survey of the Drinkfield civic amenity site, in Whessoe Road, has been completed and no evidence has been found of great crested newts in the area.

The findings mean that Darlington Borough Council can proceed with a £730,000 expansion of the tip.

Work is expected to start in mid-September and will take up to six weeks.

The council's development director, John Buxton, said: "The new site will be larger, less congested and will be able to segregate a wider range of materials for recycling than is currently the case.

"These are still to be finalised, but will include better facilities for all existing recycling.

"In addition, cardboard will certainly be recyclable.

"Other materials being researched for recycling potential are plastic packaging, plastic milk bottles, household batteries, cooking oil and fluorescent tubes."