AN Ulverston joiner has been prosecuted for the illegal depositing of waste at a Furness beauty spot.

Kevin Richard Stretch, 33, of Kingsway, pleaded guilty to fly-tipping at Birkrigg Common between September 10 and 13.

Stretch told the court he was adding to waste which had already been left there to build an unofficial bonfire.

A spokesperson for South Lakeland District Council said the prosecution follows an investigation by enforcement officers for the illegal depositing of waste at the common which is land that the council is responsible for. The team received a number of complaints about the large quantity of green waste and builders’ waste, as it was piled up high and spread over a large area of the common.

Stretch was given a 12-month conditional discharge. He was also ordered to pay all SLDC costs of £377.09 and a £50 victim surcharge.

SLDC Enforcement Officer, John Barwise said: “Fly-tipping is illegal and a blight on our environment. I would urge any person who thinks that it is an easy way of getting rid of unwanted waste to think about the impact of their actions on the environment and on other people.”

To report fly-tipping call SLDC’s Customer Contact Centre on: 0845 0504434 or the Environment Agency on 0800 807060, providing details of the location and a description of the waste.