FLY-TIPPING has been branded "inconsiderate" and "disgraceful" after waste was spotted strewn across woodland at a Christchurch nature reserve.

Two piles of rubbish have been dumped at St Catherine's Hill on the side of the unmade track into the site.

The waste was made up of a variety of items including furniture, clothing, electronics and ruined car parts.

Walkers in the area first spotted the rubbish over the weekend and it was still there on Monday afternoon.

St Catherine's Hill and Hurn ward councillor Margaret Phipps said fly-tipping was disgusting and unacceptable.

"It is just totally inconsiderate," Cllr Phipps said.

"Why do people do this? Why can't they dispose of their rubbish responsibly? I just don't understand it.

"It is an absolutely disgusting practice that people think they can dump their rubbish wherever they like to the detriment of the community and residents.

"It is inconsiderate and people who do it are disgraceful."

Members of the public who saw the rubbish told the Daily Echo that a CCTV camera should be put in place to catch anyone fly-tipping in the area.

However, Cllr Phipps said it was not as easy as just putting up a camera, with monitoring costs and a number of regualtions to adhere to.

Dorset Waste Partnership, the business responsible for managing waste and recycling in Dorset, said the number of incidents of fly-tipping continues to grow, following national trends, and clearing tips last year across the county cost around £150,000.

Karyn Punchard, Director of the Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP), said: "The DWP will continue to investigate and clear reported fly-tipping incidents from public land as quickly as possible.

"We will also attempt to trace and prosecute anyone found to be fly-tipping on public land. We encourage residents to report suspected incidents to the DWP at www.dorsetforyou.com/flytipping.

"Fly-tipping is a criminal offence, punishable of fines of up to £50,000 or 12 months imprisonment if convicted in a Magistrates' Court. The offence can attract an unlimited fine and up to 5 years imprisonment if convicted in a Crown Court.

"Together, we can help stamp out this dangerous and anti-social activity that blights our beautiful county.”