FLY-TIPPING at a Christchurch heathland beauty spot has been increasing in recent years, according to the charitable trust responsible for managing the area.

The town common, which includes St Catherine's Hill, has been continually targeted by fly-tippers.

As reported by the Daily Echo, police are aware of a large number of black bags containing the remains of a cannabis farm that have been dumped in a flooded ditch on the heathland.

Earlier this year a range of household items were left strewn alongside a gravel track on the other side of St Catherine's Hill.

The town common is owned by Malmesbury Estate and managed by the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC).

Chris Dresh, ARC's senior Dorset field officer, said clearing fly-tipped sites was forcing the trust to use money from the organisation's limited resources which should be used to carry out vital conservation work.

"The issue of fly-tipping is an ongoing problem. It is only been increasing in recent years and going to continue to increase as some people don't want to pay to dispose of their waste properly," he said.

"Clearing it up is down to us and we have to pay to deal with it and that has a knock on effect on the service we can provide.

"There is only so much you can do to try and stop it. We go out and the heathland, but in 25 years I have only caught two fly-tippers in the act. Catching people is difficult. It is a pain and there is not much we can do to prevent it.

"It has been increasing over the past two years, but these things do go up and down in phases. People are wise to the situation and will move to different locations. We try out best but people will find a way."

Mr Dresh said fly-tipping has always been an issue and depending on what has been dumped it can lead to safety concerns for people and animals, as well as serve as a fire risk.

St Catherine's & Hurn ward councillor Margaret Phipps said she was aware of the latest incident and condemned the behaviour.

"Any fly-tipping comes down to irresponsible people and it is disgusting," Cllr Phipps said.

"People just keep doing this sort of thing and we cannot seem to put a stop to it. It is completely disrespectful to the community."