FLY-TIPPERS have been fined £1,600 in total after being handed "on-the-spot" fines by enforcement officers.

Bury Council recently introduced Fixed Penalty Notices for the illegal dumping of waste as an alternative to the often lengthy and costly process of taking offenders to court.

The four fines followed reports of fly-tipping of general waste on Belmont Road, Radcliffe, as well as house clearance waste at Ferngrove, Bury.

Household refuse was dumped at the former East Lancs Paper Mill, Radcliffe, while household items were left on Fountain Street, Bury.

Cllr Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, said: "Fly-tipping is a criminal offence. It’s disgusting and there is no excuse for it.

"It blights neighbourhoods and the countryside, is a threat to local wildlife and livestock, and a source of pollution and a danger to public health. It also attracts other forms of anti-social behaviour.

"On top of that, cleaning it up takes resources away from other council services which local taxpayers want their money spending on."

Bury Council spent around £70,000 on clearing away fly-tipping last year.

And town hall chiefs hope that this new system of handing out fines to offenders will act as a deterrent.

Cllr Quinn added: "We have just taken on two new enforcement officers to tackle this problem, which has already resulted in these fixed penalty notices being issued.

"I'd also like to thank the many community volunteers across the borough who help to clear up waste, and they can play an important role in gathering the intelligence we need to carry out enforcement."

It comes as there has been a noticeable increase in advertisements on social media for unlicensed waste removal services.

Cllr Quinn is reminding every individual and business that they have a duty of care to ensure they correctly dispose of their waste.

He added: "Many unsuspecting householders are being caught out by these rogue traders, drawn by their attractive low rates compared to legitimate operators.

"I urge residents to check their credentials before using them. Remember – if fly-tipped waste can be traced back to its owner, the owner can be fined even if they had acted in good faith and were not aware the waste was going to be fly-tipped."

According to Bury Council, residents should ask any waste carrier for their address and telephone number, their waste carrier licence, and ask where their waste will be taken to.

People can carry out a free instant check of their credentials via the Environment Agency.