Residents in Somerton say they have been left in the dark over plans to move the town's recycling centre.

A proposal to relocate Somerton Household Waste Recycling Centre from Bancombe Road Trading Estate to Badgers Cross Lane has been submitted by Tony Canvin.

The application was due to be discussed at the last town council meeting, but was deferred to give Mr Canvin, who is also a district and town councillor, an opportunity to hold a public consultation.

Around 70 residents squeezed into the Parish Rooms to voice their opinion and spoke for an hour during public question time.

Terry Bastyan, speaking on behalf of residents living in the Badgers Cross Lane, said: "We feel let down by the council because you are supposed to be representing us.

"The only reason all these people are here is because two of us found out and let everyone know.

"We fully support recycling, but question the need to move from the current site."

The current site is owned by Somerset County Council and managed by Viridor. The proposed new site is a disused quarry owned by Mr Canvin.

Somerset county councillor Jimmy Zouche said the move was necessary because the town was outgrowing the current facility.

He admitted that a land owner had approached the county council about the move rather than it being one initiated by the authority.