Anger over fly-tipping next to graves at Hastings Cemetery

The rubbish was dumped next to Hastings Cemetery

Fly-tippers who drove across graves to dump waste have been condemned by the authorities.

Council bosses said a lorry visited the site more than once and they fear it is part of a large-scale operation by "unscrupulous individuals".

The lorry was driven over unmarked graves at Hastings Cemetery before the waste was dumped over a wall in a field next door.

Police and the local authority have appealed for information.

A spokesman for Rother District Council, in whose territory the rubbish was dumped on 5 December, said the pile included windows, doors, furniture and carpets.

A white flat-bed lorry was seen leaving the scene at about 15:30 GMT that day and again on 11 December, the council spokesman added.

Tyre tracks can be seen where a lorry was driven through the cemetery, across unmarked graves

The waste contains doors, windows and carpet

Councillor Ian Hollidge, Rother's cabinet member for environment, said: "Fly-tipping is a serious offence in itself but to drive over people's graves to dump rubbish is a despicable act.

"The nature of the waste found suggests that this is not an isolated incident but a large-scale operation by unscrupulous individuals, presumably for financial gain."

Hastings Borough councillor Colin Fitzgerald added: "The cemetery should be a place of quiet reflection, and I'm shocked by the complete lack of decency shown by this individual."

Neighbouring councils believe the fly-tippers are responsible for previous incidents near the cemetery