VILLAGERS have condemned fly-tippers who dumped a large amount of household rubbish just a short distance from a council-run tip.

The waste, which included electrical goods such as lawnmowers and vacuum cleaners, was left in a gateway at Staplewood Lane, Marchwood.

They offloaded the items just a short drive away from a household waste recycling centre run by Hampshire County Council.

New Forest District Council has removed the rubbish - at a cost to taxpayers of more than £100.

People living in the area have taken to social media to voice their anger and disbelief at the illegal dumping, which occurred near the Saints training ground.

One woman posted: "There's a recycling centre in Marchwood - all you have to do is book and turn up."

Another social user called for steps to be taken to combat anti-social behaviour in the Staplewood Lane area.

She said: "Such a frequent occurrence down that road and in specific spots. Surely it's time to put up a temporary ASB camera?"

A district council spokesperson added: "Fly-tipping is not acceptable.

"As well as issuing fines for less severe incidents we also have the power to prosecute offenders and seize vehicles. Please, dispose of your waste responsibly."

The New Forest has seen a spate of fly-tipping incidents in recent weeks.

In December more than 40 mattresses were dumped in public car parks at Matley Wood, near Lyndhurst, Wootton Bridge in Brockenhurst, and Burbush, near Burley.

The waste was removed by Forestry England, formerly the Forestry Commission.

Speaking at the time a Forestry England spokesperson said: "Dumping waste sadly reflects the lack of respect that some have for this special landscape.

“We urge all householders and businesses to be aware of their own responsibilities for making sure their waste is disposed of properly, and to ensure they check the person they are using is licensed to do so, by using the Environment Agency website."

A few weeks earlier a householder was fined £300 after waste was dumped at Rockford Common, near Ringwood.

As reported in the Daily Echo, a Bournemouth resident paid someone to take away their large amount of waste resulting from house renovations.

But the people they used dumped the rubbish instead of disposing of it legally.

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