A COUNCIL is hoping to catch the criminal responsible for ruining a countryside spot with illegal dumping.

A large pile of builders’ waste from a swimming pool renovation was found in Marsh Lane, Clanfield, on December 5.

And environmental enforcement officers at West Oxfordshire District Council are now appealing for help in identifying the person behind the rubbish.

In the last financial year the council cleared 573 fly-tips at a cost of £26,914.

Only holders of an authorised licence can recover, transport, deposit or dispose of waste belonging to other people, and firms advertising waste removal should show customers a valid licence.

David Harvey, the council's cabinet member for environment, said: “Sometimes these people are the acting fraudulently – they just take the money and dump the waste in a quiet spot in our beautiful countryside.”

To check a company, call the Environment Agency on 08708 506506.