A COUNCILLOR has hit out at illegal fly-tippers who dumped dangerous toxic waste across his ward.

Bags of rubble and debris containing asbestos have been strewn across country lanes close to Walworth, near Darlington.

Gerald Lee, anti-litter campaigner and ward councillor for Heighington and Coniscliffe, said the fly-tippers had blighted the countryside and endangered local wildlife and residents.

He said: “It is tremendously and terribly irresponsible, I just despair. It is an eyesore, a hell of a mess and a danger to the public.

“It has been there for days now, the council are aware of it but need specialist contractors to remove it.

“The council obviously cannot take any shortcuts with this type of thing.

“In this time of austerity, if they were not concerned, they would not spend money on using specialist contractors.”

Mr Lee has appealed to members of the public with any information relating to the fly-tipping to come forward.

A spokeswoman from Darlington Borough Council said: “The contractor has been made aware of the fly-tipped rubbish. Removal started this week and will continue this weekend.”

She added: “Fly-tipping is an offence. If you see any-one dumping rubbish anywhere other than in an official refuse collection point, please report them to the Street Scene Team by e-mailing streetscene@darlington.gov.uk or calling 01325-388777.”