A Wellington roofer and two accomplices have been ordered to pay over £3,600 in fines and costs for illegally dumping a trailer of waste asbestos roofing tiles in the Somerset countryside.

The case, heard by Bridgwater Magistrates, was brought by the Environment Agency.

Andrew Disney, who trades as Disney Roofing, was caught after packaging containing his home address was found among old asbestos tiles, drainpipes, wood and plastic dumped in a stubble field at Boomer Farm, North Pet-herton, in the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The farmer reported it to Sedge-moor District Council and handed over a box with Disney’s home address on it.

Samples taken from the field were found to contain white and brown asbestos – a hazardous substance that must be disposed of at a licensed site.

Disney, of Springfield Road, Wellington was ordered to pay £1,844 costs and given a 12 month community order requiring him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

Gareth Bright, of Churchfields, Wellington, was ordered to pay £922 costs and ordered to do 100 hours’ unpaid work under a 12-month community order.

Andrew Bryant, also of Church-fields, was fined £300 and ord-ered to pay £285 costs.

Disney said this week: “I’m sorry this happened – it definitely won’t happen again.”