A HUNT has begun for shameless flytippers after hundreds of rotting chicken legs were found dumped on an industrial estate.

Council officers are now investigating after the pieces of rotting flesh were discovered near The Sidings in Bacup on Tuesday.

The clean-up team who attended the scene said there were hundreds of pieces of meat on a steep embankment in the area.

Council officers dealing with the waste had to be protected with specialist coveralls to prevent any contamination from the rotting meat.

Councillor Jackie Oakes, Rossendale Council’s Portfolio Holder for Operations, said: "This is an absolutely disgusting thing to do and is a real health and safety and environmental risk to people in the area, not to mention taking a huge amount of time for our clean-up team.

"I hope anyone who saw anything can contact us to shed some light on this.”

The discovery comes a number of months after hundred of cow's feet were found dumped in a stream in the Ribble Valley.

Officers are now looking at CCTV footage to see if there are any images that they can use to lead them to those responsible.

Anyone with any information on the incident can call (01706) 217777 or alternatively email envcrime@rossendalebc.gov.uk