Fly-tippers dump 'colossal' rubbish heap at Blackburn firm

The incident has been reported to police and the local council

Fly-tippers have broken into a business property and dumped a "mountain" of rubbish.

Cooper Bespoke Joinery in Blackburn, Lancashire, said the huge pile of waste appeared on Monday evening.

The firm said it had captured the incident on CCTV and the offenders had forced their way into the yard by cutting through a lock.

It said it had been quoted between £3,000 and £5,000 to have the waste - which includes mattresses - removed.

The firm said Blackburn with Darwen Council told it the matter would have to be referred to the Environment Agency because of the scale of it.

The incident is also being investigated by Lancashire Police.

Scott Cooper, the company's managing director, described the waste as "disgusting".

He added: "It could have asbestos or hypodermic needles in it, and we can even see petrol cans."

Louise McGaffigan, who also works for the firm, said: "I was shown a photograph of it first and thought it was a wind up. When I actually saw it, it was colossal.

"It is like a mountain, with mattresses and prams amongst it and it absolutely hums."