A County Durham man has been fined close to £1500 after letting furniture and rubbish pile up in his back garden.

Durham County Council have prosecuted and fined a man from Crook, who failed to remove waste from the yard of his property.

Neighbourhood Wardens from the council served Community Protection Warning and then notice allowing the male plenty of opportunity to tidy the yard but he chose not to comply.

Read more: Newton Aycliffe Blakes incident: Arrest as man remains seriously ill

A spokesperson for the council's neighbourhood wardens said: "We take action against those who leave waste in yards or gardens in order to improve areas for all residents and visitors, not only is it unsightly but it can be a source of harbourage for vermin and pests but it can also be a target for arson."

Following the resident being fined from the council - residents in County Durham have been sharing their "concern" that the fine seemed "lenient". 

After commenting on the post of the fly-tipping that the council wardens put on, one social media users commented: "Surely this is some sort of joke? The fine should be so much higher than that," while another added: "That fine total is ridiculous".