A council has had to fork out more than £3,000 in to clear up two large fly-tips dumped on rural roads.

Almost 30 tonnes of festering and burnt rubbish, dumped in two large heaps, was finally removed from Watery Gate Lane, near Earl Shilton, at a cost of £1,800.

The foul waste had been there for well over a month, with previous attempts by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to remove it thwarted due to the impact of Covid-19 and staff shortages and restrictions.

The authority also recently removed a huge fly-tip strewn across a gate to a field on Bosworth Road, near Kirkby Mallory, which cost £1,600 to clear up.

A huge pile of rubbish was found dumped by the side of the road near Kirkby Mallory.

Officials found several distinctive items among the Bosworth Road mess which they hoped to trace to find out who was responsible.

The council also recently issued seven fines after rubbish was dumped on the ground near the recycling bank at Sainsbury’s in Hinckley.

The supermarket said the mess has been cleared up and the facility is still open, apart from the Oxfam clothing bank.

People have also been dropp litter by bins in the borough that have been taken out of use because of the coronavirus crisis.

Officers urged residents to take their rubbish home, saying it was “unpleasant for others” to see the refuse left on the pavement.

One resident of Burbage came across an overflowing bin where dog walkers had left several poo bags on the ground beneath it.

The man, who has lived in the village since the 1960s and asked to remain nameless, said: “It’s littering the public highway, it’s a health hazard, it’s left me speechless to be honest.”

Regulars at Burbage Common have also complained to the borough council about people leaving piles of dog waste bags on the ground near footpaths there.

Waste services in the borough have been reduced because of the coronavirus crisis, although garden waste collections have resumed this week, with bulky waste collections to start again next week.

Barwell tip is currently closed but reopening is being planned.

Residents can check their bin collection day or subscribe to the 20-21 garden waste collection service on the borough council website, or by calling Hinckley 238141.