FLY-TIPPING is leaving an ugly blot on the landscape in Comet country. Councils are facing the bill of indiscriminate dumping of both industrial and household rubbish. Major blackspots are in the rural areas around villages, where much of the rubbish is d

FLY-TIPPING is leaving an ugly blot on the landscape in Comet country.

Councils are facing the bill of indiscriminate dumping of both industrial and household rubbish.

Major blackspots are in the rural areas around villages, where much of the rubbish is dumped in woodland and fields at night.

Builders' rubbish is the biggest problem, with perpetrators avoiding the costs of taking their refuse to landfill.

The worst area for fly-tipping is in Old Knebworth Lane, in a spinney at the back of the golf course.

North Herts District Council (NHDC) has in the past cleared the site of refuse, which has included building rubble and electrical and household items, and put signs on nearby poles warning fly-tippers they could face a fine of up to �50,000 if caught and prosecuted.

But the land is again full of all kinds of rubbish and you can see where vehicles have backed into the heavily wooded area to tip everything from furniture, old electrical appliances and building rubbish.

In Stevenage this week, our photographer found the wide grass verge in Potters Lane on the industrial area adjacent to the A1(M) covered in heaps of building rubble as well as sand and broken paving slabs.

In picturesque Great Wymondley, somebody has dumped a big pile of household items that include children's toys and clothes.

Cllr John Gardner, portfolio holder for environment and regeneration at Stevenage Borough Council, said: "From time to time we have to deal with fly-tipping, which is a problem not just in Stevenage but throughout the country.

"Anyone coming across fly-tipping should report it on 01438 242242 or freephone 0800 136661, text to 60066, or visit www.stevenage.gov.uk or our Customer Service Centre, and we will deal with it promptly."

In a bid to try and get fresh information on fly-tipping, police are urging dog walkers to report incidents of dumped rubbish. They say they are also working closely with local councils in a bid to reduce the problem.