Rangers patrolling some of the region's treasured beauty spots say the areas have become magnets for fly-tippers during the coronavirus lockdown.

Staff working for United Utilities say that in some places the amount of rubbish being dumped in car parks, laybys and verges has leapt since social distancing rules forced the closure of local waste tips.

The worst hit areas include around Rivington, Roddlesworth and Rake Brook reservoirs, around Chorley, where several loads of waste including building rubble, general items, toys and housewares were dumped.

Catchment manager Matthew Upton said fly-tipping was a long-running problem at Rivington.

On other areas of United Utilities land, illegal dumping is thought to have increased 50 per cent.

“This is more than anti-social and unsightly. Dumping items runs the risk of damaging the environment we all love and could even cause pollution,” he said.

“Our contractors are working flat out to clear it, but the general upturn in fly-tipping across the region is stretching them and their capacity to store the waste.”

Councils across the region have asked people to temporarily store bulky items, DIY and other waste safely at home until recycling centres re-open.

Cllr Adrian Lowe, whose portfolio includes streetscene on Chorley Council, said lockdown was not an excuse for people to dump waste wherever they like, and perpetrators would be prosecuted.

“Despite increasing volumes of waste, we are doing everything we can to maintain our essential waste collection service under very challenging circumstances and fly tipping just adds immense pressure to our resources.

“Many people are using the time at home to clear out sheds and garages or do more household and garden chores than they would usually, but we urge people to be mindful about the amount of extra waste they are generating. Where possible, non-perishable waste should be stored safely at home until household waste recycling centres reopen,” he said.

If you spot someone illegally dumping waste, don’t confront them. Note details like registration number, colour, make and model of the vehicle, what the tippers look like, what sort of rubbish was being dumped and where, and report it to your local council or police.

In the Chorley area, fly-tipping can be reported on the council’s website at: https://chorley.gov.uk/Pages/AtoZ/Clean-neighbourhoods.aspx