COMMUNITY leaders have slammed offenders after a "disgusting fly-tip" was discovered near Romsey.

Car parts and cardboard packaging were found around Awbridge on Wednesday (September 16), with the illegally dumped rubbish stretching as far as Dunbridge, Lockerley and East Tytherley.

Now, one councillor is calling on the public to help Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) track down the fly-tippers.

Cllr Dorothy Baverstock, who represents Romsey Cupernham on TVBC, said: "I find any kind of fly-tipping abhorrent and I just cannot believe that people are so selfish and would clutter their countryside.

"These could be dangerous bits of rubbish if they are car parts, which could injure animals and children if they decide to pick them up.

"I am appalled and I feel these people should not be in business if they cannot afford to get rid of their rubbish."

Cllr Baverstock stressed if one of the car parts in the fly-tip was a side mirror then this could "spark a fire", adding it could easily happen in "wooded areas" in Test Valley.

She added if TVBC find the culprits they should be slapped with "one of the heaviest fines that can be given".

Deputy leader for TVBC, Cllr Nick Adams-King, said the "disgusting fly-tip" was located around Awbridge on Wednesday and the rubbish was "strewn as far as Dunbridge, Lockerley and East Tytherley".

He added residents should contact the local authority if they have CCTV images of the vehicle carrying the rubbish, which could help them identify "the revolting, lazy individuals".

However, he did stress investigators from TVBC examined the rubbish and found evidence that could lead to the offenders.

Some of the roads affected by the fly-tip were Stanbridge Lane, Dunbridge Lane and "the route through Lockerley to East Tytherley", according to Cllr Adams-King.

As reported, fly-tipping incidents across Test Valley shot up by almost 50 per cent amid lockdown, a Freedom of Information request revealed.

Figures obtained by the Romsey Advertiser unveiled from March 23 to June 12 there were 491 fly-tipping incidents in the borough - a 48.3 per cent increase from the same period last year.