COUNCIL chiefs have issued a warning to fly-tippers after dozens of tyres were dumped at a Darlington picnic area.

The tyres – which have now been removed – were dumped at Broken Scar picnic area, on the outskirts of the town on Wednesday (February 10).

A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said: “We are aware of the issue and have removed the tyres.

"Fly-tipping will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be prosecuted."

Peter Giroux, a member of The Northern Echo Camera Club, took this photograph of the tyres before they were removed.

He said: "There was at least three or four dozen tyres there.

"I was just out for a morning walk and a lot of the dog walkers in the area were complaining about the tyres.

"I was down there [on Tuesday] evening and everything was fine and I went back at about 8.15am on Wednesday and there was just this pile of tyres in the lower car park.

"A couple of people had commented on how disgusting it was and people were generally disappointed that somebody had been bloody-minded enough to dump a load of tyres in such a beautiful spot."

Anyone who sees someone dumping rubbish where they shouldn’t can email streetscene@darlington.gov.uk or call 01325-405111.