FLY tippers have been warned they could be put out of business after a layby has been virtually turned into a rubbish dump.

Stefan Jennings says he has called the council on numerous occasions to clear items dumped in Tone Hill, Tonedale, Wellington, but says every time the waste is removed more is left there.

“It’s not just that it looks ugly, but it’s also close to the river, and they’ll leave stuff like paint and other toxic items,” said Mr Jennings.

“Every time I call the council the DLO comes out and clears it away, but then more gets dumped.

“It’s almost as if the DLO and I are providing a service for the fly tippers.

“I wish there was a way of stopping it because I don’t want to spend my life dealing with fly tipping.

“I think it’s a few people repeatedly doing it.”

A Taunton Deane Council spokeswoman said offenders could be fined up to £1,000.

Cllr Ken Hayward, executive member for environmental services, said: “We have zero tolerance on fly tipping. It’s environmental crime perpetuated by selfish people, and there can be no excuse.

“We live in a beautiful part of the country and want to keep it that way.

“Let anyone who may be thinking of fly tipping be in no doubt of the council’s determination to gather evidence and prosecute cases of this environmental crime.

“Fines can be hefty – enough to put a small business under in these hard times – so the message is simple: don’t do it!”