HUNDREDS of people have signed up for an appointment at the tip within hours of a new booking system going live.

Darlington Borough Council is introducing the booking system to reduce congestion at the tip in Mewburn Road, off Whessoe Road, while social distancing measures are in place.

The booking system launched on Monday and from June 1, anyone without an appointment will be turned away.

Within 24 hours of the system being launched, 485 people signed up, booking 621 of the available slots.

At full capacity, there are more than 540 slots a day.

A tip closed in March but reopened for essential use only at the end of April.

Whessoe Road has been closed at the junction of Burtree Lane to through traffic for safety reasons.

Access for local business and residents will remain.

The measure is expected to stay in place until the booking system is implemented on June 1.

Road closures will be in place at all times of the day, with signed diversions in place for all approaches to Whessoe Road.

The tip is open seven days a week, 8am-4.30pm and has strict social distancing measures in place.