COMPANY bosses are calling for an end to fly-tipping which has started to blight a business park.

Cases of fly-tipping across Sedgefield borough have nearly doubled in the past year and businesses on Aycliffe Industrial Estate say they are fed up.

Ian Simmonds, a director of Northern Power Clean Ltd, said household and garden waste had been dumped near his and neighbouring premises. He said: "It is disgusting. It looks a mess and as the weather gets warmer it is starting to stink as well. It is an absolute disgrace for people to dump it regardless of the effect on local businesses."

Mr Simmonds believes most of the abandoned waste is from people who have been turned away from the nearby civic amenities site because they do not hold a van permit.

Durham County Council launched the permit scheme in December to prevent firms tipping refuse illegally at its civic amenity sites by pretending to be private ratepayers.

Coun Brian Myers, cabinet member for waste minimisation and management, said: "It is unfair to blame our waste permit system for any and all incidents of fly tipping without supporting evidence.

"The permit system is free, easy to use and has proved effective, and anyone who requires a permit can obtain up to five at any one time by applying to the county council by post or on-line."