A recycling centre used by Ascot residents will close despite most locals opposing the plans.

Bagshot Community Recycling Centre on Swift Lane will close, after a decision was made by Surrey County Council. It serves as the closest recycling point for those living in Ascot, Sunninghill and Sunningdale.

The authority claimed it cannot be made fit for future use due to being difficult to access, unmodernised and too small to be upgraded. It also said the site was attracting anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and vandalism.

There had also been instances of unlawful entry at the site, and some staff had been threatened by people who tried to bring 'unacceptable' materials, the council added.

It comes despite 93 per cent of consultation respondents saying they opposed the plans and two petitions against the closure gaining more than 2,000 signatures.

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The consultation, carried out between September 16 to October 11, with 1,079 responses received.

Although the vast majority said they were against the closure, 76 per cent said they would use alternative sites.

Reasons for objections included the inconvenience of travelling to another site, a fear there would be increased queues at the other site, and the potential jump in local fly tipping.

Concerns were also raised by MP for Windsor Jack Rankin, who said if closed, the nearest alternative site for his constituents would be more than ten miles away.

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He said he was not aware whether the neighbouring authority, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, had been properly consulted on the plans.

Surrey County Council since confirmed that if the Bagshot site closed, residents from the Royal Borough will be able to use the Lyne Community Recycling Centre, a 20 minute drive from Ascot.

But some Ascot residents have said they would prefer to gain access to the Bracknell Recycling centre, at a closer distance and with more flexible operating hours.

A meeting has since taken place between Surrey County Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

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Mr Rankin said he was ‘disappointed’ that the site will be closing down, and had not been given a date for its closure.

The Conservative MP had previously warned that the closure ‘could see more instances of fly-tipping and illegal dumping in our area, causing damage to our countryside, the local environment and wildlife’.

In its decision, Surrey County Council said experience shows that previous changes to sites, including reduced opening hours and days, have not resulted in more fly tipping incidents.