AN appeal has been issued after "shameless" fly-tippers were seen to dump deadly asbestos in a Bury village.

An eyewitness saw two men in black hoodies leave the building material on the road lead to Mount Pleasant last Tuesday.

And after council bosses were forced to spend £600 to employ specialist contractors to remove the asbestos, they are asking if anyone else saw anything suspicious that night.

The pair are understood to have been driving a white van, from which the rubble was deposited at around 8.30pm.

Cllr Alan Quinn, the borough's environment cabinet member, said: “These people are utterly shameless.

"First, they spoil our environment by dumping asbestos on it. And second, they then send council taxpayers the bill for clearing it up.

"This is money we could be spending looking after vulnerable people during the coronavirus crisis.

“If anyone knows who these people are- or has details of any other fly-tipping culprits – please report them online at https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=11296.”

Meanwhile local resident Spencer Donnelly said: "The people who did this are selfish, lazy and greedy with no consideration for anyone else.

"Dumping asbestos in the road and in the woods is disgusting, potentially putting local residents, dog walkers, children, and animals who use the woods at risk of ingesting harmful particles. They should be ashamed of themselves."

Council chief says residents and businesses should only use licensed waste disposal operatives or face a substantial fine and even a prison sentence if caught dumping waste illegally.