A FLYTIPPER who admitted dumping a pile of waste in a lane in Puxton has been fined £500 and ordered to pay hundreds of pounds in costs.

Jeffrey Hughes, 35,of Beggs Close, North Petherton, pleaded guilty to fly tipping when he appeared before North Somerset Magistrates Court.

He was fined £500, ordered to pay £100 costs to North Somerset Council, prosecution costs of £1,237 and a victim surcharge of £15 – a total of £1,852.

Imposing the fine, magistrates said they regarded the offence as "very serious" but had taken account of Mr Hughes' guilty plea.

The sentence related to an offence on August 23 when Mr Hughes dumped a range of items including mattresses, a bed base and a mirror in Puxton Lane.

He was identified as the fly tipper due to help from a member of the public who saw where Mr Hughes had collected the items from and then followed the truck. She was also able to recognise the items dumped as those seen on the truck.

North Somerset Council executive member for environmental protection, Councillor Peter Bryant, said the conviction showed the authority would not tolerate flytipping and was working hard to make the district a cleaner and greener place.

Mr Bryant said: "If you fly tip we will make every effort to track you down.

"We will not tolerate this disgraceful behaviour that spoils our beautiful area and drains tax payers money.

"If people witness fly tipping they don't have to intervene but they can provide us with as much detail as possible. Incidents can be reported by telephoning the council on 01934/ 01275 888802."