A WESTON man has paid more than £4,000 in fines and costs for fly-tipping.

Paul Allen, of Upper Church Road, appeared at North Somerset Magistrates Court on January 28 following a length-investigation by police and North Somerset Council.

In August, 2012, the council received reports of fly-tipping on land at South Hill Farm in Bleadon and enquiries led to Allen, who admitted he collected waste from a skip in Milton and dumped it on the farmland.

He first pleaded not guilty to the charge, but changed his plea to guilty, and was fined £175 for the offence, £20 in victim surcharge, £302 for clearance costs and £4,000 in costs to the council.

Cllr Peter Bryant said: “This was a protracted enquiry, but our officers were tenacious and were successful in getting this case to court.

“This case shows we will investigate and prosecute those who blight our towns and villages by dumping waste.

“I would ask all law-abiding citizens to be extra vigilant and report any violations to us.”