A CAMPAIGN to fight the problem of fly tipping in the countryside has been launch-ed by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

It is running a national survey to convince local authorities and the Government on the need for action.

The CLA's regional director, Dorothy Fairburn, said clean-up costs in North Yorkshire were rocketing as farmers, land-owners, residents and visitors report a growing number of incidents.

"People are fed up with seeing rubbish dumped in ditches, fields, country lanes and beauty spots," she said.

"The Government needs to investigate the mounting costs to individuals and to local councils who have to clean up. It's staggering how often people will drive to remote spots to dump a carload of rubbish rather than taking it to the nearest tip."

The CLA survey is available at www.cla.org.uk/flytipping until the end of the month.

Members hope the results will persuade authorities to introduce measures, such as waiving fees at tips or extending the powers of councils to erect barriers where there is a regular problem.