A COUNCIL could take legal action against builders who are believed to have dumped tonnes of concrete on a green site leaving a £10,000 clean-up bill.

Hartlepool Borough Council said other projects may have to be postponed in order to clear up the mess, at the junction of Belle Vue Way and Brenda Road, in the town.

The discarded concrete is thought to be the result of work carried out on up to 50 driveways across the town.

The authority is now trying to track down the culprits in order to take legal action. Members of the public have been warned to be vigilant when approached by builders asking for work.

Dave Stubbs, the council's head of environmental management, said: "We believe that people may have agreed to have their driveways block-paved after receiving unsolicited approaches.

"If anyone receives such an approach they should always ask to see a duty of care certificate before agreeing to anything.

These certificates are issued by the Environment Agency and anyone transporting waste must have one by law.

"Householders should also seek assurances that tradesmen knocking on their doors come from reputable companies as work carried out in such circumstances can often fail to reach the required standard and people may find themselves left seriously out of pocket."

Mr Stubbs said the council would take legal action if it found out who carried out the dumping.

He said: "While there may be anecdotal evidence we require stronger proof if we are to have any hope of mounting a successful prosecution.

"We are working hard to try to find this proof.

"The estimated £10,000 cost of cleaning up this mess will have to be covered from existing budgets, so some things that we would like to do will no longer be affordable."

A major clean-up of the area, which is near a gipsy encampment, is due to begin this weekend with council staff working overtime and specialist equipment, including JCBs, being hired to remove the rubble.

The investigation is a civil law matter and the police are not involved.