A WORLE man who was paid to take rubbish away for a friend, illegally dumped the load in a village, North Somerset Courthouse was told on Friday.

Simon Fairless, aged 31, admitted fly-tipping off Roman Road in Bleadon in July after initially claiming he had taken the waste to a tip in Weston.

Fairless was paid �25 to remove various items including a paddling pool, car seat and a pool table the court was told.

But Sally Andrews, prosecuting, said he had dumped them in a field rather than dropping them off at the Aisecome Way tip.

Fairless, of Hill Road, pleaded guilty before claiming he was only doing so to avoid the future cost of a trial. Following legal advice he admitted the offence.

He said: “I realise my actions were wrong and I could have harmed animals and the environment. I apologise for this.”

Fairless was ordered to pay �615, including a �300 fine and �100 towards the removal of the waste.