Thousands of cases of fly-tipping have been reported across North Somerset in the past year -  but not one person has been prosecuted for the offence.

Latest figures released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) show there were 2,215 incidents of fly-tipping reported to North Somerset Council in 2017/2018.

And despite investigations taking place to try to find the culprits, the authority did not secure one prosecution.

The number of fly-tipping incidents is also on the rise, up from 2064 reported incidents in 2016/17.

And the financial cost of clearing up the dumped rubbish is also high, with the authority spending £79,000 last year removing illegally dumped waste.

Incidents of fly-tipping can come in many forms - from dumping piles of rubbish down country lanes to leaving waste on the roadsides and pavements outside properties.

Fly-tipping is illegal and offenders can face fines and even prison sentences if the case goes to court.

'Difficult to secure enough information to secure a prosecution'

North Somerset Council executive member for waste Peter Bryant said the authority investigated 79 incidents of fly-tipping in the past year and six people were interviewed under caution.

Council officers sift through any dumped rubbish to see if they can gather evidence about its origins and who dumped it.

Mr Bryant said: "We did carry out investigations into 79 incidents of fly-tipping.

"However it is difficult to secure enough information to secure a prosecution and conviction."

“Every authority is struggling and the success rate is about one per cent. It’s a problem.

"We take fly-tipping very seriously and would urge anyone who has information about who may be responsible to contact us."

North Somerset Council recycles 61 per cent of its waste and is one of the top performing authorities in the country for its efforts.

Mr Bryant added: "There is no excuse for flytipping.

"We have recycling centres where all waste can be taken for disposal or be recycled.

"Flytipping is anti social and illegal and harmful to the environment."