ASBESTOS, industrial pipes and even an old washing machine have been dumped at a New Forest beauty spot by flytippers.

Waste has been dumped illegally in the Forest almost every week this year, putting valuable wildlife habitats and the public at risk.

The National Trust say dumpers are blighting beauty spots and costing the charity thousands.

This year alone the charity has spent £3,000 clearing up and disposing of the mess.

In February more than 100 tyres were found dumped along an unmade road between Burley and Ringwood.

Trust community ranger Jacob White said: “We have had issues with flytipping for a number of years, but nothing like we are experiencing now. We have reached unsurpassed levels in these last few months.”

The trust said that Furzley Common, near Bramshaw, is being “badly targeted” by flytippers, who recently left large amounts of hazardous materials, including asbestos, and non-native plant waste on the site, popular with dog walkers and tourists.

Jacob added: “Many families let young children play here, but we are worried that this kind of hazardous litter could cause an injury.

“Sharp objects can cause great harm to the feet of the grazing ponies, and plastics and food waste can make livestock and wildlife very ill if swallowed.

“Plant waste also introduces extra nutrients into the fragile soils and can contain non-native plant species that may out-compete our precious heathland flora.

“The New Forest is an internationally protected site of special scientific interest, so this increase in flytipping is incredibly disheartening.”

Last Friday, trust rangers discovered 100 tyres dumped in a layby in Linwood Road near Ringwood – just two weeks after the Daily Echo reported how another 100 tyres were dumped on an unmade road between Burley and Ringwood.

The incidents come after Hampshire County Council bosses announced plans to employ a £50,000 a year troubleshooter to tackle flytipping.

Elsewhere, waste including fence panels, car parts and rubbish was dumped in Ashurst and more waste was dumped near Burley, including a freezer.