Tonnes of hazardous asbestos fly-tipped in layby

The waste, including hazardous asbestos, was found dumped in two piles on an area off the A31 near Alton, known as Julie's layby

Two large piles of rubbish, thought to weigh about 15 tonnes, including hazardous asbestos has been found dumped in a layby.

The piles, each over eight feet (2.4m) high near Alton on the A31, known as Julie's layby were reported to East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) on 3 September.

The council said the layby had been closed with the clear-up alone "expected to cost taxpayers more than £18,000".

The fly-tipped waste is being examined by the council to try and work out where it may have come from - with the authority urging anyone with information to come forward.

The layby has been closed while specialist contractors clear the fly-tip and look for evidence of where it may have come from

Cllr Richard Millard, leader of EHDC, said: "Fly-tipping is a disgraceful crime that wrecks our environment, endangers public health and drains vital resources.

"Every pound spent clearing up this mess is a pound stolen from essential services that support our residents."

Describing the tonnes of dumped material as a "vile fly-tip", he added: "Anyone who takes such selfish, illegal actions are parasites on society.

"If you dump waste, we will do everything in our power to find you and prosecute you to the full extent of the law."