A senior Stafford Borough Councillor has said that fly-tipping is 'a blight' on the local community following two incidents where rubbish was illegally dumped in the borough.

The most recent incident involved items from a house clearance - including chairs, plant pots and cardboard, being dumped in a layby near Gnosall.

The owner was traced to an address in Nottingham and said he had paid £250 to a 'specialist removal company' on Gumtree to have the rubbish removed.

He was given a £600 fixed penalty notice by Stafford Borough Council for allowing his waste to be disposed of illegally on the A518.

The man refused to disclose the company he used.

Cllr Ian Fordham, Cabinet Member for Environment at the Borough Council urged residents to make sure that those offering to remove waste are registered to do so.

He added: "Fly-tipping, littering and other environmental crimes, are a blight on our communities.

"They can cause environmental damage, they attract anti-social behaviour, make areas look untidy and impact on the quality of life for our residents.

"Those residents are disgusted when people fly-tip in their community.

"It may seem like a cheap alternative paying someone to get rid of your rubbish - but if they are not a registered waste carrier then you leave yourself open to a fine or even prosecution."

The borough council recommends:

• Always checking the credentials of people offering to take rubbish
• Asking where they plan to dispose of the rubbish
• Always getting a receipt

Another incident involved a delivery driver from Wimborne in Dorset dumping a large black bag of domestic waste at industrial premises in Eccleshall.

He received a £500 fixed penalty notice following the incident in June.

Cllr Fordham continued: "I'd urge anyone with information on those who are carrying out fly tipping to report it to us as we will always pursue those intent on spoiling our borough."

For more information about alternative waste collectors, click here.

To learn more about reporting an environmental crime, click here.