RESIDENTS have been left shocked after a spate of fly-tipping at a popular beauty spot.

The Dell, an attractive green space at the border of Great Lever and Farnworth, has been targeted in recent days.

Dog walkers and nearby neighbours have come across tipped flag stones, flooring, a sofa, gardening waste and broken cabinets.

They have now gained the support of local councillors after lobbying for increased action to rid the area of its fly-tipping problem.

Cllr Sue Howarth, who represents Harper Green ward, has backed calls to introduce CCTV cameras and reduce access to the area at night. She said: “Residents get rightly angry at the law breaking of fly-tippers and the spoiling of the green space here. Bolton Council has achieved prosecutions of fly-tipping at The Dell and an increase would be greatly appreciated for more deterrence.

“Part of this area is expensive to clean up and I support CCTV and a reduction to traffic access at night if at all possible.”

Residents have reported that the worst affected areas is in Greenland Road, walking up from Minerva Road, where the steep banks of land can accumulate fly-tipping and general street rubbish.

It is also suspected that vehicles have been parking up and dumping items on the flat land area.

Cllr Howarth added: "Last weekend, it seems that this pile of items emerged there. It has been incessant this week.

"To give credit to the council, even though we have had fly-tipping here for a number of years, it has been patchy here and there have been prosecutions of people who have been caught.

"I think this has got residents really thinking once again about what can be done to stop it. They are asking questions again about fly-tipping, whether cameras are there, whether people can be prosecuted, and what access there is to the area for vehicles."

A council spokesman said: “We take fly-tipping extremely seriously and will always investigate any fly-tipping and prosecute those responsible.

"We have removed all accessible waste and the remainder is being moved by specialist contractors.

"We are also looking at preventative measures to avoid future fly-tipping.”

The Bolton News recently reported that piles of rubbish had been dumped into a brook at Seven Acres Country Park, between Tonge Moor and Breightmet, and at the bottom of Burnham Avenue, in Smithills.

After figures obtained last year showed that more than 4,000 fly-tipping incidents were reported to Bolton Council in 12 months, critics blamed the closure of smaller rubbish dumps across the borough.