FLYTIPPERS have created an "eyesore" after dumping a mile's worth of rubbish along the Frizington to Moresby road.

Bags of laminate flooring, work tops, wood, glass and carpets were last week left strewn on verges. And last month, two sofas were abandoned on the roadside at Steel Brow, Frizington.

Now, Arlecdon and Frizington Parish Council clerk Gwynneth Everett has condemned the "very sad" scenes.

She said: "It is very much an eyesore, it's disappointing that things get left like this. I know there was something left out at Steel Brow recently, it's a problem.

"It isn't that far to the tip as it's just on the outskirts of Frizington. It's very sad that this sort of thing happens, especially when people can get Copeland Council to collect the rubbish or use the tip."

While Janice Carrol, waste and enforcement manager for Copeland Council, said: "Fly tipping is illegal and unsightly and can be detrimental to the environment and to the reputation of our borough.

"While Copeland experiences low numbers of incidents compared to similar authorities in other areas, many of these are left in out of the way roadside verges and sometimes in picturesque locations."

In a post on the council's Facebook page, fly tippers have been warned that leaving rubbish could result in costly fines or imprisonment.

Mrs Carrol said: "We are using our communications channels including social media to illustrate the problem in the area and to advise people of the appropriate disposal routes, as well as working on a small number of fly tipping cases that will see the offenders being taken to court."

The council can also deal with offenders by issuing fixed penalty notices.

Fines, of between £150 and £400, allow local authorities to deal with small-scale fly-tipping quickly and efficiently, without the need to take offenders to court.

Copeland Council urge people to use authorised waste removal firms when having waste taken away from their homes. To contact the council you can call 01946 598300 or visit its Facebook page - Copeland Borough Council.