FLY-TIPPING reached a record level in Somerset West and Taunton last year, figures show, though no court fines were handed out.

The Country Land and Business Association said the "disgraceful behaviour" blights the countryside and warned that the true extent of fly-tipping across England is probably even higher than feared.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs data shows 997 fly-tipping incidents were reported to Somerset West and Taunton Council in 2020-21.

This was more than double the 434 discoveries made the year before, and the highest number since comparable records began in 2012-13.

However, no fines resulting from court convictions were issued in the area last year – and none were issued in 2019-20.

Somerset West and Taunton Council carried out no enforcement actions in 2020-21.

Across England, a record 1.1 million incidents of rubbish dumped on highways and beauty spots were found in 2020-21, up from 980,000 the previous year.

But the number of court fines halved from 2,672 to just 1,313 – with their total value decreasing from £1.2 million to £440,000.

The CLA, which represents rural businesses, said the vast majority of fly-tipping occurs on private land, which the figures do not cover.

Mark Tufnell, president of the CLA, said: “These figures do not tell the full story of this disgraceful behaviour which blights our beautiful countryside.

“Fly-tipping continues to wreck the lives of many of us living and working in the countryside – and significant progress needs to be made to stop it.

“It’s not just the odd bin bag but large household items, from unwanted sofas to broken washing machines, building materials and even asbestos being dumped across our countryside.”

Somerset West and Taunton saw 6.4 fly-tipping incidents per 1,000 people last year – which was well below the average across England, of 20.1.

Household waste accounted for 569 incidents last year – 57% of the total.