Householders are being asked to check the credentials of businesses offering to clear their waste following a spate of fly-tipping incidents in Wiltshire.

Fly-tipping has increased in the Chippenham, Corsham and Calne areas and householders are being reminded that if someone offers to take away their household and garden waste they should ask to see a valid Waste Carrier Licence.

If the waste is passed onto someone and they are not a licensed waste carrier the resident may be committing an offence under the Environmental Protection Act (1990).

Householders are legally obliged to check whoever they give their waste to is authorised to collect, carry and dispose of it lawfully. If the waste is fly-tipped the householders could be prosecuted as well as the person who illegally tipped the waste.

Cabinet member for highways John Thomson said: “Fly-tipping blights the countryside and we are asking householders to make this simple check before handing waste over to someone who they may pay to take it away but who may then cause problems for them further down the line.”

Residents are encouraged to check if someone is a registered waste carrier by going online at www.gov.uk/find-registered-waste-carrier, emailing: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk or by calling 03708 506 506.