Five County Durham residents have been fined heavily in court after failing to a Community Protection Notice about waste in their garden.

According to Durham County Council, they were issued with notices in August 2023 however failed to comply with them therefore the council removed the waste and a case file was prepared for the courts.

The resident from Acton Dene, Stanley was prosecuted in court earlier this week - with the female resident now having to pay a total of £839 in fines and costs to pay.

The Northern Echo: The garden waste in Bishop AucklandThe garden waste in Bishop Auckland (Image: DCC WARDENS)

Within the garden waste, there was furniture, kids' toys, electrical goods and clothes.

Meanwhile, three more residents in Commercial Street, Brandon, Durham were also prosecuted for failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice about waste in their garden.

All three were found guilty and now have a total of £440 each (totalling £1320) in fines and costs to pay.

The Northern Echo: Some garden waste in StanleySome garden waste in Stanley (Image: DCC WARDENS)

This comes days after Peterlee Magistrates heard the case relating to this backyard in Woodlands Road, Bishop Auckland, and concluded that the individual residing at the property has failed to comply with a Community Protection Notice in respect of an accumulation of waste.

They have been ordered to pay £726.00.

The individual failed to engage with the neighbourhood wardens after several attempts to contact them.

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Following on from the court cases of the individuals, Durham County Council's wardens have issued a warning to residents - and have urged people to report fly-tipping and garden waste.

A post on the wardens social media page read: "We encourage the public to report waste in gardens/yards as they are not only detrimental to others in the area but they also attract vermin onto land and other neighbouring properties.

"You can report to us by calling 03000 260 000."