A MAN who was caught on camera dumping rubbish at a flytipping blackspot has been fined.

Durham County Council installed cameras at Warren House Gill, in Horden after a spate of incidents at the site.

In June, the cameras caught two men dumping a carpet and an air conditioning unit and recorded the registration number of their white van.

Last week, a 29-year-old man from Blackhall Colliery appeared before Peterlee Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to a single offence of flytipping.

He was fined £352 and ordered to pay a total of £445 in legal costs.

Ian Hoult, neighbourhood protection manager at Durham County Council, said: “There is simply no excuse for flytipping. It is unsightly and causes damage to the environment, including wildlife and their habitats.

“We do not tolerate flytipping in County Durham and I would advise people to ensure they dispose of their waste properly.

“There are details on the council’s website about whether residents need a permit, and how to get one, as well as advice for businesses on how to register as a waste carrier.”

In the last financial year, the cost of flytipping to the county council was more than £430,000 and officials investigated more than 6,800 incidents.

To find out more about waste permits, visit www.durham.gov.uk/householdpermit