FLYTIPPING hotspots have been shared by Wiltshire people who have spotted mattresses, sofas and kitchens ditched along country roads.

Other items tossed include fridges, and garden waste, often left by commercial companies without a license who offer to take people’s rubbish away for cash.

In one instance a plaster cast form a broken arm had been found among debris left by the side fo a road near Pewsey.

Listing hotspots, outside Everleigh recycling centre, along the Semington bypass on the way to Trowbridge and at a pull in on the road between Lockeridge and Alton Barnes were all named as places often used to fly-tip.

A witness in a fly-tipping prosecution said that harsher punishments should be issued to people in order to deter others from dumping rubbish.

She was interviewed under caution after paying someone £35 to take away her rubbish. She later provided evidence as part of a prosecution against fly-tippers ordered to pay over £700 in fines.

The Wiltshire woman, who did not want to be named said: “My crime was lack of awareness that anyone offering this service had to have a licence.

“The pathetic fine they were given is not even close to being commensurate with how much money was spent by the council investigating this matter, let alone the stress it caused me. To me their small fine is scandalous.

“In my view massive fines for any littering including cigarette butts could be the answer. If there were heavier fines it might deter people from doing this.”

Speaking on social media, Helen Hall said: “There is a fair amount of fly tipping on the edge of Salisbury plain up pear tree hill in Great Cheverell. Only last week there was a large load including mattresses.”

Jackie Bromwich added :"There’s been plenty of fly tipping up on the army land between Everleigh and Pewsey.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said: “We are determined to eradicate fly-tipping in Wiltshire as it costs significant money and time to investigate and clear – money we’d much rather spend on vital services. It can also impact our wildlife and habitats. We always make every effort to investigate and take action against the individuals who do this.

“We are also working on new initiatives to combat fly-tipping and more details will be released on this soon. We can’t eradicate this ourselves and support of the public is vital, so when they are out and about we’d encourage them to download My Wiltshire or visit our website to report to us anything they see.”

Do you know of other fly-tipping hotspots? Email julia.hijstek@newsquest.co.uk