A COUNCIL has issued its first £300 on the spot fine for fly tipping as part of new legislation.

Richmondshire District Council imposed the fine after a local business owner was seen dumping a freezer in an alleyway in Richmond town centre.

The new legislation - the Unauthorised Deposit of Waste Regulations 2016 – means a fine of £400, reduced to £300 for early payment, can be issued for anyone caught illegally dumping waste.

“Flytipping is a blot on the landscape – and we are determined to crackdown on this illegal practice and will take action when it happens,” said Councillor Tony Duff.

“We managed to track down the culprit in this case by using cctv footage and he quickly admitted the offence and paid the fine.”

He said that large amounts of waste should be taken to one of the North Yorkshire County Council-run household waste recycling centres which are open every day except Wednesday.

Bulky items can also be collected by Richmondshire District Council – there is a fee of £36 per collection of five non-hazardous items and £46 per collection of five hazardous items.