A MOTHER-OF-TWO says toxic fumes are being spread across a Darlington housing estate by fly-tippers setting fire to rubbish.

Elizabeth Mitchell, who lives on the Northwood Park estate, is calling on Darlington Borough Council to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to identify people who illegally burn waste on the Cleveland Trading Estate, in Albert Hill.

Mrs Mitchell, 56, said there was often thick smoke outside her home, causing her to choke and have chest pains.

She said: "It is such a dangerous thing and it is not just me I'm thinking about.

"I have mild asthma, but there will be children with severe asthma and it can't do them any good.

"There are people who take rubbish up there and they burn it at night. They are burning toxic materials like cables, tyres and things like that. It is happening about once a week."

Mrs Mitchell is writing to every home in her road to urge residents to contact the council's environmental health department to complain about the smoke.

"Sometimes it is not even black smoke you can see. Sometimes it's clear and that is actually worse because it really chokes your throat," she said.

"I have actually been out in the garden and my chest has felt tight. A lot of people go in and shut the doors because it's so bad."

Her neighbour Karen Oliver said: "I'm really worried for health reasons. On Friday nights and Sunday lunchtimes it is terrible."

A council spokeswoman confirmed that fly-tippers were using the estate.

"We are going to get together in the immediate future with the police and fire brigade to organise a co-ordinated response," she said.

"We are also liaising with the Environment Agency. We are looking at additional security measures to restrict public access, especially in out-of-hours times."

She said companies on the industrial estate would be asked to help tackle the problem.

The spokeswoman said: "What we are looking to do is have mobile security cameras on the estate"

Fly-tippers caught dumping household waste by the council can expect a £50 fine, but those dumping trade waste could face a £20,000 fine or a six-month jail term.