A WESTON man has been fined more than �1,400 after pleading guilty to fly-tipping after council officers used Facebook conversations and CCTV footage to prove he had dumped rubbish.

Christian Holmes from Caister Close, Weston, pleaded guilty to two counts of fly-tipping at North Somerset Courthouse on Thursday.

The court was told North Somerset Council had received a report of items being dumped off Silvermoor Lane, Banwell.

CCTV footage showed a car being loaded with rubbish from a flat in High Street before further waste was found in Silvermoor Lane.

A printout of a Facebook conversation also showed letting agency 4 Let had employed Holmes for four jobs.

Holmes then admitted to the authority he was not a registered waste carrier and admitted to clearing waste via the social networking site and that he owned the vehicle snapped on CCTV.

North Somerset magistrates imposed the �1,430 fine comprising �700 for depositing waste, �300 for the incorrect disposal of waste, �400 prosecution costs and �30 in victim surcharges.

North Somerset Council’s executive member with responsibility for environmental protection Peter Bryant said that dealing with fly- tipping cost the council approximately �70,000 last year.

He added: “The council will not tolerate this antisocial practice as we are committed to making North Somerset a cleaner and greener place. If you fly-tip we will make every effort to track you down.

“We will not tolerate this disgraceful behaviour that spoils our beautiful area and drains taxpayers’ money.

“If people witness fly-tipping they don’t have to intervene but they can provide us with as much detail as possible. We can then use this to investigate.”

Incidents can be reported by calling 01934 888802.