RESIDENTS are being asked to think twice about who they hand bulky waste over to after a white van man was recently caught illegally dumping rubbish on private land.

According to the council, the case - currently under further investigation - is typical of a number of recently reported incidents investigated by the council's environmental team.

In August 2015, members of the public raised concerns that fly-tipping would increase after the council agreed to bring in charges for the collection of bulky waste - with a £15 minimum fee for a maximum of three items and a £10 charge for white goods.

The cases have prompted a warning over the seriousness of fly-tipping - and how residents who pass on waste to unregistered waste carriers with no questions asked, are operating illegally and may be liable for fines too.

St Helens Council’s cabinet member for green, smart and sustainable borough, Councillor Terry Shields, said: “Fly-tipping is a crime St Helens Council takes very seriously, and we will not hesitate to take those found responsible to court.

“We have had recent success in prosecuting those found to be guilty of this act which takes up valuable council resources during the removal and cleansing process - while small scale or first time fly-tippers are issued with substantial fixed penalty notices of up to £400."

Cllr Shields continued: “All too often we’re hearing about requests on social media from residents wanting bulky rubbish collecting, but my question to them is: do you know where your rubbish is going?

“People are legally obliged to know where their waste has gone, but if someone offers to take away your waste on the cheap, the chances are it’s too good to be true and it will end up being dumped illegally."

Residents can arrange to have their bulky rubbish collected by the council. To book a collection, visit sthelens.gov.uk/recycling-rubbish-waste/bulky-waste-collections. To report fly-tipping, call 676789, or visit sthelens.gov.uk/contactus.