FLY-TIPPED waste is discovered in the BCP and Dorset Council areas five times a day on average, according to the latest figures.

This comes amid a rise nationally in the instances of fly-tipping, which may have been driven by the coronavirus lockdown.

Many waste facilities closed in late March 2020 after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people should stay at home, except for essential travel.

This prompted calls in April for tips to be reopened after councils observed a surge in fly-tipping.

Earlier this month Dorset residents were asked to not visit recycling centres due to the high numbers of people using them during the latest national lockdown.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs data shows 1,705 fly-tipping incidents were reported to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council in 2019-20.

The Local Government Association warned that the offence costs taxpayers almost £50 million a year to clear up.

Dumped waste was found on Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s roads and pavements 1,169 times accounting for 69 per cent of incidents.

Fly-tipped rubbish can include household waste, white goods and construction waste.

Meanwhile, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs data shows 1,870 fly-tipping incidents were reported to Dorset Council in 2019-20 – which also amounts to five times a day on average.

Dumped waste was found on Dorset’s roads and pavements 1,127 times accounting for 60 per cent of incidents while 332 discoveries were made on footpaths and bridleways (18 per cent).

Across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, small van loads of waste were dumped illegally on 404 occasions – 24 per cent of all reports.

While, across Dorset, small van loads of waste were dumped illegally on 621 occasions – 33 per cent of all reports. A further 115 incidents saw fly-tippers discard enough rubbish to fill a tipper lorry each, costing the council £16,100 to clear. There were also 29 incidents which required multiple loads to clear, at a cost of £10,440.

David Renard, environment spokesman for the Local Government Association, said: “Fly-tipping is inexcusable. It is not only an eyesore for residents, but a serious public health risk, creating pollution.”