HOMEOWNERS face a fine of £5,000 if they get rid of their rubbish to unlicensed 'waste cowboys'.

New laws require all householders to use authorised carriers. Town hall bosses say people knock on the door and offer a cheap deal to take away rubbish, before dumping it over the nearest hedge.

If the waste is traced back to the household it came from, the owner could now be fined. Residents are asked to get a receipt for any rubbish removals. Registered waste carriers are listed at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/publicregister.