Large waste items will not be accepted at Tynes Bay Waste to Energy Facility as staff try to accommodate high levels of garbage.

Items such as couches, wooden pallets or anything measuring over five feet will not be accepted until after July 19.

People are asked to store such items in a safe area until service returns to normal.

A Ministry of Works and Engineering spokesperson said: "The Tynes Bay plant is currently performing scheduled maintenance and is utilising the short term contingency plan to shred, bale and store incoming refuse for later disposal.

"However, the current influx of bulky waste is causing congestion and unsafe conditions in the tipping hall, hence these temporary measures."

As such, bulky waste collection will be restricted to non-combustible items at this time, the spokesperson said. The conditions will monitored daily and the bulky waste service will resume as soon as possible.

The Tynes Bay Public Drop-off Facility, the Airport Waste Management Facility and Marsh Folly Facility will all continue service as normal.

The Ministry has apologised for any inconvenience and would like to thank the public for their cooperation during this time.