Two cases of fly tipping have resulted in substantial fines after two individuals were found guilty of illegally disposing of waste in Tewkesbury borough.

Tewkesbury Borough Council's environmental health officers took both cases to Cheltenham Magistrates Court. The court found Mr Charlie Stephens, of Top Notch Carpentry, guilty of fly tipping material at Aggs Hill in January 2017. Mr Stephens received a £1,200 fine and was ordered to pay costs of £1,325 as well as a £60 victim surcharge.

The court also found Michelle Wilkins, from Innsworth, guilty of failing to comply with her duty of care to dispose of domestic waste responsibly. Ms Wilkins' waste was found in a fly tip off Frogfurlong Lane in June 2017. She was fined £40 and ordered to pay £548 costs as well as a £30 victim surcharge.

Councillor Jim Mason, Tewkesbury Borough Council's lead member for clean and green environment, said: "I'd like to thank our environmental health team for pursuing these cases and bringing them to court.

"We hope this will deter others from doing the same. Fly tipping not only substantially harms the environment, but it also upsets and distresses local residents and it then falls on council tax payers to pay for the clear-up. Please do make sure that any 'man with a van' is licenced to take your waste - it's very important that you know where your waste will end up as you can be fined for their negligence."

For waste that cannot be disposed of in weekly bin collections, the borough council offers the following advice:

• Find out if the local household recycling centre can accept the waste. This is usually free of charge and details of the nearest recycling centre can be found at http://www.recycleforgloucestershire.com/household-recycling-centres-hrcs/ 

• Check whether the council can offer a bulky or special collection service by calling 01684 2595010.

• Use a licensed commercial waste collector. Details of registered collectors can be found at: www.gov.uk/guidance/access-the-public-register-for-environmental-information