DULVERTON'S household waste recycling centre could become a victim of Somerset's financial belt tightening after being earmarked for closure.

The facility on the outskirts of the town is among eight centres on a hit list announced by Somerset County Council as part of major cost-cutting that will see tens of millions of pounds slashed from the authority's budget across a range of services.

A county council spokesman confirmed Dulverton's place on the list on Wednesday.

"The sites most at risk are those away from major towns which have a comparatively lower throughput of material," she said.

"Regrettably the site at Dulverton fits into this category."

Steve Read, managing director of the Somerset Waste Partnership, which manages recycling and waste services across the county, told the Free Press yesterday (Thursday) that his organisation was having to make £1.9 million savings next year.

He said the Coleford recycling centre near Frome was also on the list of possible closures but that he could not confirm the remaining six sites.

It is unclear whether either of West Somerset's remaining centres - at Williton and Minehead - will be affected.

Mr Read said he was in discussions to try and find alternative ways of making the savings needed.

News of the Dulverton centre's likely fate sparked outrage in the town this week.

Shirley Dymond, who lives in nearby Brushford, said petitions were being launched and people were being encouraged to lobby local county councillor Frances Nicholson, who represents the town.

"The centre is very well used - and regularly - by people from miles around," said Miss Dymond.

"The nearest alternative centre is Minehead, which is a 36-mile round trip.

"If you've got an old toaster, you are not going to get in the car and drive that sort of distance."

Miss Dymond said there were rumours that the centre could close just after Christmas.

"It may only be a small site but it takes a huge range of materials, from rubble and garden waste to clothing and plastic bottles."

And she warned: "There will definitely be an increase in fly tipping if this goes ahead.

Miss Dymond said the closure was a "financial sleight of hand" on the part of the county council.

"They may save a few pounds but think what they will be losing from the environmental impact, apart from the cost of dealing with the additional fly tipping.

"There have been waste facilities on this site for the past 30 years, starting with just a couple of skips.

"People are just aghast and appalled by the prospect of losing this centre and we will definitely fight it."