ENOUGH rubbish to fill an entire skip has been dumped at the side of a rural road.

The trash left in Coal Pit Road, off Scout Road, was of such a vast quantity that it completely blocked a small stream running alongside.

Pauline Birch was horrified when she came across the scene on Monday morning.

"People have been leaving the odd bag of rubbish there for as long as I can remember but I've never seen it as bad as this."

She discovered the fly-tipping during her daily exercise walk with a friend.

"The stream was full of bags, doors and pieces of wood. It would be bad enough to see that dumped on the side of any road but because Coal Pit Road is so rural and such a beautiful area, it makes it look even more terrible."

Due to the nature of the items being dumped, Mrs Birch has concluded that a builder is responsible.

"It looks like the work of someone doing up a house," she said.

"Council refuse sites charge for the dumping of such materials so whoever is responsible is obviously trying to save a bit of money."

Mrs Birch is not only highly concerned about the visual eyesore, she also worries about the effect on local wildlife.

"Quite often you spot foxes and owls and if they try to eat some of the rubbish that's been dumped in bags they could be badly affected and could even die."

She feels those responsible should be prosecuted.

Defra states that fly tipping is illegal and those who do it are committing a serious offence. It can result in fines of up to £20,000 and up to two years imprisonment - five years if hazardous waste is dumped.

Where fly-tipping involves the use of a vehicle, the driver can be prosecuted, as can the owner of the vehicle. The police have powers to seize vehicles used for fly-tipping.

Mrs Birch said: "The guilty parties are demonstrating a complete lack of regard. It's not fair. They ought to be ashamed of themselves."

"They should have a sense of pride in our town."