A major campaign has been launched in the county today, to raise awareness of the problem of fly-tipping.

The SCRAP Campaign, launched by Cotswold District Council, was originally created by the Hertfordshire Fly Tipping Group and has run successfully in other areas of the country, using know-how and resources from many local authorities to raise public awareness of the issue.

In the coming weeks, Cotswold District Council will be running an online campaign aimed at informing residents and businesses about the law and their obligations around fly-tipping, as well as highlighting key information, such as how to check for a waste carrier's licence and information on how to dispose of different types of waste.

Cllr Andrew Doherty, cabinet member for waste, flooding and environmental health, said: "Fly-tipping is a national problem and one that has a significant impact on both our communities and our environment. It is an issue that, as a council, we take very seriously and we will look to tackle offenders head-on.

"We hope that through this campaign we can raise awareness of the issue, and help to educate our residents and businesses on how to properly dispose of their waste through the appropriate channels."

The campaign will also inform residents on how to report a fly-tip and highlight the penalties if caught fly-tipping.

Nationally, fly-tipping is on the rise and this is reflected in the Cotswold district, with council workers regularly called to investigate and clear unsightly rubbish that has been dumped illegally, often on farmland or roadsides.

The council's campaign is being supported by Gloucestershire Police and the National Farmers Union, whose members are often affected by fly-tipping.