Twenty tonnes of plastic waste dumped at Norton Disney farm

Twenty tonnes of commercial waste has been dumped in a farmer's field.

The mound of plastic waste was fly-tipped during Monday night at Norton Disney in Lincolnshire.

North Kesteven District Council is also investigating another incident where three lorry loads of waste were dumped at a farm in nearby Leadenham.

Farmer Andrew Ward posted a video on social media of the 10ft (3m) high mound of rubbish which has blocked access to one of his fields.

Mr Ward is calling on the government to take tougher measures against fly-tippers.

"We've seen a steady increase over the last year or two," he said

"But definitely since lockdown since all the tips and the recycling centre have closed we have seen a massive increase out in the countryside."

A neighbouring council said incidents of fly-tipping had increased almost four times during the coronavirus lockdown.

Boston Borough Council in Lincolnshire said there were 254 cases in June compared with 68 incidents in June 2019.

Chris Allen from Boston Borough Council also blamed the coronavirus lockdown for the increase in waste, despite the authority's recycling centres reopening in May.

He said: "There's been a lot more people at home generating more waste, more DIY, clearing out gardens, sheds and attics. We've definitely seen an increase in the volume of waste."

North Kesteven District Council has appealed for dashcam or CCTV footage to help its inquiries.

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