OFFICIALS are trying to find out who dumped scores of tyres at a beauty spot.

Up to 80 tyres were found in a car park on Waldridge Fell, near Chester-le-Street, on Friday.

The district council, which cleared the mess away, is trying to find the culprits.

One dog walker, from Chester-le-Street, who saw the tyres while visiting the Fell on Sunday, said: "It is terrible that an attractive place like this should be spoiled in this way.

"There was a good lorry-load of tyres, some still with hubs, left in the car park. I would say there were 75 to 80.

"There are bollards up there, which the council locks at night to stop vehicles going on to the Fell, so it must have happened during the day.

"I think it is disgusting and outrageous and hopefully whoever did it will be caught and prosecuted."

A spokesman for Chester-le-Street District Council said the tyres were reported on Friday and were taken away yesterday. The council aims to remove fly-tipped rubbish within three days of it being reported.

A council spokesman said: "The council received reports of the fly-tipping incident at Waldridge Fell and removed the tyres on Tuesday afternoon.

"Fly tipping is a big problem and the council urges residents to be vigilant of, and report, fly-tippers whenever they are spotted."