THIS is the mess made of a usually picturesque stretch of shoreline by fly-tippers.

It is the latest in a series of eyesores created by people who would rather take their rubbish to a beauty spot than a dump.

The target this time was the shore behind Egmont Road and South Haven Close in Turlin Moor, Poole.

As well as an abandoned television and a mattress, the rubbish includes black bags spilling their contents onto the shore. Another resident spotted a Christmas tree among the litter.

Residents are being urged to contact their council with details if they see other offenders dumping their rubbish irresponsibly.

Kate Langdown, street scene services manager at the Borough of Poole, said: “We are aware of a large amount of rubbish which has been illegally dumped in this area.

“Smaller items have already been removed, and we will be returning shortly with specialist equipment to remove the larger items.

“It is very disappointing to see a fly tip of this scale. Most of us dispose of our waste using the proper and safe methods, but there are those who irresponsibly choose to tip their waste on other people’s land.

“Waste dumped on land illegally means extra costs for businesses and council tax payers, in addition to potentially causing damage to the local environment. If you do witness a fly-tip taking place, we’d encourage residents to note the vehicle registration number, location and time, and contact us with the details.”

Hamworthy West councillor Mike Wilkins said he was made aware of the problem and contacted the civic centre to get it sorted.

“We had some fly-tipping the other day and I reported it,” he said.

He said council staff had attended to deal with the problem.

The Daily Echo recently reported how a lane off Belle Vue Road, Southbourne, was being regularly blighted by fly-tippers, with prams, builders’ waste and supermarket trolleys among the rubbish there.

Dorset’s councils received 5,930 reports of fly-tipping in 2016, costing tens of thousands of pounds to clear up – in addition to the fly-tipping that takes place on private property and that owned by other authorities.