TWO fly-tippers have received fines totalling more than £500 after council prosecutions.

Both appeared before Blackburn Magistrates Court on July 20.

They are the latest in a string of prosecutions for illegal waste disposal by Blackburn with Darwen Council's environmental waste crime team which included a fly-tipper having both of his vehicles crushed after he was caught dumping rubbish illegally.

Samantha Jayne Johnston, 34, of Bedford Street, Blackburn pleaded guilty to abandoning household waste in the back alley adjacent to Bedford Street and Hertford Street, Blackburn in November.

She was fined £200 plus £85 court costs.

Bethany Alberts, 25, of Kingsway, Lower Darwen, pleaded guilty to her vehicle being used to fly tip waste on Winterton Road, Darwen in March.

She was fined £400, plus £40 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Cllr Jim Smith, Blackburn with Darwen Council environment boss, said: "The council is sending out a clear message that waste crimes won’t be tolerated in Blackburn with Darwen.

"Fly-tippers need to know that the council takes these offences very seriously and that we will find offenders and take them to court.

"The majority of people in this borough take pride in where they live and it’s not fair that they have to put up with rubbish accumulations and fly tipping. We have two household waste recycling centres in Blackburn and Darwen that operate over a seven day period.

"The council also has a bulky waste collection service, with prices starting from £7.50.

"If people are struggling to manage their waste and need advice they can contact our cleansing team for help.

"You can report waste crimes anonymously to the team on the council’s website."