A NEW environmental team has declared war on fly tippers.

In a bid to make Hartlepool a cleaner and safer place, the local council has created an environmental action team that can help enforce heavy fines or even imprisonment for people caught dumping rubbish illegally.

The clampdown will focus on fly-tipping hot spots that have been popular with offenders in the past.

Team manager Craig Thelwell said: "We want people to be in no doubt where we stand on this. It is unacceptable and we are not prepared to tolerate it."

To reinforce its new tough stance, the council has erected a warning sign on the old A19 at Wolviston, close to the borough boundary.

Old furniture, tyres, builders' rubble and even asbestos have been dumped there in the past.

The sign warns that dumpers convicted of breaching the Environmental Protection Act 1990 could face fines up to £20,000 or six months behind bars.

Other badly hit areas being monitored include Brierton Quarry, the lay-by next to the A179 at Clavering and numerous back streets.

Anyone with information about fly tipping is asked to contact Hartlepool Borough Council on (01429) 523333 or the Environment Agency on 0845 3000630.