FEARS are being raised that the New Forest and Hampshire countryside could become a dumping ground for flytippers.

Villages on the fringes of the New Forest and rural hamlets inside the New Forest boundary are some of the worst affected areas.

Now Hampshire County Council and New Forest District Council have launched a crackdown on flytippers.

Council staff have cleared tonnes of dumped waste and much of it is believed to have come from where people are having renovation work done on their property.

New Forest District Council portfolio holder for the environment Sophie Beeton 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.

“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 public can report fly-tipped waste at www.nfdc.gov.uk or by calling us on 023 8028 5000 or by using the New Forest In Touch app, free to download from iTunes and Google Play.

“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.

“Let's continue to work together to keep our New Forest looking beautiful.”

Residents can dispose of household waste at one of the three household waste recycling centres in the New Forest, at Marchwood, Somerley and Efford, www.hants.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling

Householders who decide to use a company to remove rubbish from their property, should ensure they are a registered waste carrier, otherwise the householder can be held liable for any fly tipped waste that originated from them.

NFDC offers a Bulky Household Waste Collections service for larger household items. Collections can be arranged by calling customer services on 023 8028 5000.

Businesses also have a responsibility to ensure that they use a registered waste carrier to dispose of their commercial waste.