FLY-TIPPERS have struck close to Westhoughton, causing anger among the community.

The rubbish was spotted in Schofield Lane towards Atherton, at the junction with Colliery Lane, last week and consisted of chairs, bin bags and bits of metal and wood.

The area has been subjected to a number of fly-tipping incidents over the years according to residents.

Cllr David Wilkinson, Westhoughton town councillor for Hoskers and Hart Common, said: "Unfortunately that area has had a problem with fly-tipping for many, many years. That was why a big steel barrier was put in place to stop people getting into the site.

"It is just laziness at the end of the day and they do it because it is cheap.

"Hopefully it will not be cheap if they can get pulled into court."

Karl Battersby, Wigan Council’s director for economy and environment, said the authority was investigating the incident.

He said: "We take a zero tolerance approach to fly-tipping, and will rigorously pursue those responsible. It ruins our communities, and costs our hard working tax payers to clean up.

“We have been made aware of the fly-tipping incident at the location of Schofield Lane and will be visiting the area to clean up the mess. We will also be investigating fully to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"We encourage anybody who witnesses fly tipping to come forward and provide us with information, so that we can pursue those responsible."

He encouraged people to report incidents to wigan.gov.uk/reportit