THERE has been a “spike” in fly-tipping at National Trust managed sites in the New Forest.

Gardening waste, the remains of a boat and even asbestos have been dumped on sites managed by the charity, including Rockford Common and Bramshaw.

Lead ranger Lee Hulin said: “It seems over the course of the summer period there has been a spike in incidents affecting us.

“We’ve certainly had a spate over the last few weeks to the point it feels like every day we were being called up. The phone rings and there is another one.”

There have already been 18 fly-tipping incidents reported over the summer period.

Over the bank holiday weekend green waste and soil was dumped on Bramshaw Common. And last week, a quantity of bagged asbestos and garden waste were dumped on Bramshaw Common.

Earlier in the month, the remains of a boat and green waste were dumped at Rockford Common.

And prior to this on July 31, a burnt out caravan was found on Rockford Common. Garden waste and rubble was also dumped in Hale along with wooden panels in June.

Lee says this not only impacts the charity’s finances to clear up the rubbish but also has an affect on staff morale as well as posing risks for the environment and livestock on the sites.

“Whilst we love our jobs and enjoy what we do clearing someone else’s rubbish does have a debilitating effect on staff morale. It also stops our core conservation work that might have been planned,” said Lee.

“We have got the impact upon the site, of making good and also the cost to the charity of removing and disposing.”

“The message would be please respect the environment. Please consider disposing of the waste in a responsible manner,” he added.

“We are grateful to members of the community and visitors who not only report these occurrences to us but also keep these special places clear of everyday litter.”

Soil, old furniture and the remains of a fibreglass boat were found at separate locations in the north of the district by rangers from the National Trust, which owns several commons in the area.