ALICE Holt Forest has been blighted by a fresh dump of fly-tipped rubbish.

Three mounds of waste, including a bicycle, a birdhouse, timber and other household and garden materials were illegally dumped in Gravel Hill Road, on the edge of the forest, between 5.30pm and 6pm last Friday.

The fly-tip prompted East Hampshire District Council to urge residents to use licensed waste carriers when disposing of household and garden waste.

A council spokesman said: “Fly-tipping is a blight on the district and East Hampshire District Council treats it very seriously.

“It costs the council and private landowners thousands of pounds to clear and it causes pollution and environmental damage.

“We are committed to bringing prosecutions against fly-tippers where we can and investigate tips for evidence of where it has come from and who has handled it.

“Residents must also be aware of their legal responsibilities.

“You must check that a waste carrier holds the appropriate licence and also obtain a waste-transfer note detailing the goods taken and amount paid.

“If you do not, and your waste is fly-tipped, then you can also be prosecuted - even if you paid for the waste to be removed in good faith.”