TWO sisters have been fined more than £1,500 after failing to explain how their waste ended up dumped in two Test Valley car parks.

An investigation was launched by Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) after cables, pipes and other waste were discarded at the Stoneymarsh car park along the A3057 last year.

The same waste was found at Cowdown Lane near Andover.

Carla Matthews, of Scallows Lane, West Wellow, and Chantell Matthews, of Fraser Road, Winchester, failed to respond to TVBC over the separate fly-tips.

This resulted in them being summoned to Basingstoke Magistrates Court earlier this year.

Carla Matthews was fined £1,100, ordered to pay £286 compensation to TVBC for the clean-up costs, and a further £110 victim surcharge for failing to respond to a request for an interview over the Stoneymarsh fly-tip.

Chantell Matthews was fined £120, ordered to pay £39 in compensation and a £34 victim surcharge for the same offence over the waste on Cowdown Lane.

Environmental portfolio holder, Cllr Alison Johnston, said: "As we have said multiple times, we investigate every single report of fly-tipping that makes its way to us. Part of our process is that we need to speak to those involved in what we find.

"If a letter comes through your door with a formal request to interview, do not ignore it, otherwise you too could find yourself with a criminal record and a substantial sum to pay to go along with it."

She added: "Fly-tipping is very clearly a blight on our borough. This waste was left at one of our most popular car parks along the Test Way and is used regularly by visitors.

"Having huge bags full of cables, pipes and other rubbish dumped there shows a total lack of consideration for visitors using these important amenity spaces and is despicable behaviour."