Historic hall is hit by fly-tippers

This was the shocking scene at a National Trust site in the Midlands after fly-tippers dumped a mountain of rubbish which partly blocked the road.

Around 15 bulging bags containing clothing, household waste and paper were left near the entrance of Moseley Old Hall in Fordhouses, Wolverhampton.

The rubbish, which is believed to have been dumped at the site yesterday, spilled across the road making it difficult for cars to squeeze past. Now South Staffordshire Council has pledged to sift through the waste to see if they trace the culprits, and say they will prosecute.

In recent years land around Moseley Old Hall, an Elizabethan house famous for its association with Charles II, has been blighted by fly-tippers because of its rural location and lack of CCTV cameras.

Enforcement officers from the authority are due to visit the area around Moseley Old Lane over the weekend to take away the rubbish and have it examined for any addresses.

Council spokesman Jamie Angus said: "Fly-tipping remains a problem in rural areas such as South Staffordshire, but the council has a zero-tolerance policy, which is working.

"In the last year, 13 people were prosecuted and convicted in court of fly-tipping in the district."

In recent months offenders have been fined thousands of pounds by magistrates after dumped rubbish was traced back to them. During 2008 South Staffordshire Council dealt with 661 complaints of fly-tipping in the district, meaning the vast majority of offenders escape punishment.

The district's first fly-tipping case was in March last year, which resulted in John Cole, of Cordon Close, Kidderminster, being fined £1,700 by Stafford magistrates after cardboard was found dumped in Gilbert Lane, Kinver.

And former Wolves striker Freddy Eastwood, was ordered to pay £1,600 after being convicted in July of fly-tipping in Red Lane, Sedgley.

Anyone with information can call the council on 01902 696225 or email env.general@sstaffs.gov.uk