A RE-USE shop has been opened at a recycling centre with a special launch event held to mark the occasion.

The project was opened waste and recycling centre, Stock Road, Southend by Mark Flewitt, councillor for public protection.

The shop is the first of its kind in the area and is being launched in partnership with the council’s waste contractor, Veolia.

It will be managed on a day-to-day basis by a community team.

The idea is to sell items which have a resale value and have been left as waste at the centre.

All items for sale have been collected directly from the Stock Road site and are sold at low prices.

Residents who would like to donate can ask a member of staff - all items must be in good condition and safe to use.

The shop is open every day from 9am to 5pm, except Thursdays and including bank holidays.

Blind auctions will take place on a monthly basis at the shop.

Bidders are able to inspect the goods prior to submitting a sealed bid.

The auctions start at 9am and bids are accepted until 2pm when all the bids are opened.

The winner of each lot is then contacted to pay and collect their goods at their convenience.

Mr Flewitt, said: “Every day, perfectly good items with a long lease of life are taken to our tips and end up in landfill. This is bad for the environment and costly for the council taxpayer.” Steve Bell, manager of community reuse, said: “By providing the shop we are reducing the carbon footprint of the waste service while supporting the economy.”