EAGLE-EYED motorists may have spotted something rather unusual dumped on the roadside near Ringwood – a boat.

New Forest District Council is now warning members of the public they could face a maximum fine of £50,000 and 12 months’ imprisonment if convicted of fly-tipping.

The small boat was dumped in a lay-by at Ellingham Drove last week and was removed on Friday by New Forest District Council’s Streetscene team.

A district council spokesman said: “While most householders and businesses dispose of their rubbish responsibly there are a few people who choose to dump their rubbish in the forest or on the street.

“This is illegal as well as potentially harmful to people and wildlife.

“The council will remove fly-tipping from NFDC-owned land or along roadsides. We will investigate fly-tips where there is evidence of the person responsible and we will follow it through.

“The Forestry Commission deal with fly-tipping on their lands or car parks. On private land the responsibility for clearance of fly-tipped waste rests with the landowner or occupier. However, we will investigate fly-tips where there is evidence of the person responsible. The Environment Agency will investigate larger scale fly-tipping incidents, including those with the potential to damage human health or the environment.

“Penalties for fly-tipping are severe – on conviction in the magistrates’ court, the maximum fine is £50,000 and 12 months imprisonment and on conviction in the crown court the maximum penalties for illegal deposit of waste are an unlimited fine and/or five years’ imprisonment.

The spokesman added: “We would also ask anyone who witnesses fly-tipping to take note of as many details as possible, while being cautious for their own safety, and report it to the police on the non-emergency number 101 or to NFDC on 023 8028 5000.”

Fly-tipped waste can also be reported online at nfdc.gov.uk or by using the New Forest In Touch app.