Fly-tippers who have turned a rural beauty spot near Oxford into a rubbish dump could face prosecution.

The Environment Agency and South Oxfordshire District Council are now investigating the latest case of illegal dumping at the side of the country lane leading to Cuddesdon after being tipped off by locals keen to see legal action taken against those responsible.

John Lambley, bursar at Ripon College in the nearby village, became increasingly worried that the site, which has extensive views across the Oxfordshire-Bucking- ham borders, is already becoming known to tippers because of the regular dumping going on.

Mr Lambley, who has been bursar at the theological college for the past 10 years, said: "The spot they use is a gap in the hedge with a most beautiful view across the Vale of Aylesbury.

"A couple of months ago, a pile of rubbish appeared which was eventually traced to contractors in Newbury, and they came to clear it.

"Then, a Volkswagen Golf was abandoned and burned out there, and had to be removed by South Oxfordshire District Council.

"In the latest incident, last Saturday night (July31) at around 8pm, builders' waste was dumped there, and people actually saw those responsible in the process of carrying it out."

Mr Lambley, who describes himself as a conscientious supporter of the local environment representing the views of most of the village, decided to investigate the latest incident.

Searching through the rubbish, he found a letter connecting it with an address in Headington, Oxford.

Following up this lead, he made inquiries and discovered the spoil had come from a property being refurbished before being re-let to new tenants by private landlords.

Mr Lambley has now placed on sign at the tipping site 'naming and shaming' those he believes to be responsible, and passed on their details to the Environment Agency. An Agency spokesman said: "One of our environment officers has been in contact with Mr Lambley and visited the site with him last Wednesday (August 4).

"Evidence was gathered as part of a joint Environment Agency and South Oxfordshire District Council investigation, which is ongoing."

A spokesman for SODC confirmed a joint probe into the tipping had taken place. She said: "We're happy they've been given the information they need and hope it will lead to a prosecution."