A CLEAN-UP operation has taken place to clear what has been described as ‘one of the worst asbestos dumps’ a council has ever seen.

Hundreds of pounds of taxpayers' money was spent by Ribble Valley Council to clean up the dumped material, at Four Lane Ends, Clitheroe, on Wednesday.

Council workers wearing protective clothing and masks cleared away the mess, which also included rubble and wood.

Community services boss Cllr Stuart Carefoot said: “This is one of the worst asbestos dumps we have ever seen in the borough and our street cleansing team were responded as soon as we were alerted.

“The waste is from the demolition of a shed or outbuilding, which has been carefully checked for clues.

“It has taken our workmen the best part of the day to clear the mess at a cost of hundreds of pounds to the taxpayer and we are determined to take action against the culprits.”

The council said ‘the hunt is on’ for the fly-tippers who will face heavy fines if they are found.

The council is also advising householders who are having renovations done to ensure that workmen are disposing of any waste properly - otherwise the homeowner can face prosecution if the waste is traced back to their property.

Fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping start at £400, but prosecution can result in a fine of up to £50,000 and 12 months imprisonment.

When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air. When these fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases.

Asbestos kills around 5,000 workers each year, more people than are killed on roads across the UK.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Waste crime cost the UK millions of pounds a year in clean-up costs, undermines legitimate business, blights the countryside and is a public health risk.

“Anyone witnessing fly-tipping in the Ribble Valley is asked to report the vehicle’s registration number in complete confidence to the council on 01200 425111.”