It seemed like a dream country home - the perfect place for retired John Sinclair and his wife Jean to care for their severely handicapped daughter.

That was until the lush green farmer's field adjoining their back garden was turned into an enormous industrial dumping ground.

Over a five-month period, up to 10,000 lorry loads of soil and earth have been illegally dumped in the beauty spot off Cockin Lane, near Clayton, Bradford - with as many as 100 huge trucks arriving each day.

The field - once used for grazing animals - has been turned into a 14ft tall heap of churned-up earth and breathtaking views down the valley have been obliterated.

The family garden, once a haven for wheelchair- bound Angie Sinclair to enjoy the fresh air, has become so noisy and polluted she has been unable to leave the house all summer.

And the family can't even hang out washing without it becoming soiled by clouds of dust.

The tippers Delaneys and landowners, the Royal Mail recreation section, do not have planning permission for the tip. Bradford Council has confirmed legal action is to be taken against the two companies.

Although the Royal Mail was granted planning permission to build a sports field on the site back in 1993, the current tipping is outside the agreed parameters.

But Mr Sinclair, pictured, said his quiet, secluded home and the surrounding environment had been ruined. And - until the enforcement action begins - the tipping continues.

"Every day has been like hell," said Mr Sinclair. "We once had wonderful views down the valley towards Bradford and now all we look out on to is an horrific building site. My car looks as though it has been parked in the Sahara desert for a week with all the dust that gathers on it.

"This used to be a lovely, idyllic place to live but now it is an absolute nightmare."

The family moved into the property 25 years ago after Angie, now 39, suffered horrific injuries in a car accident. She was in a coma for two years and defied doctors by surviving after specialist treatment in America.

Due to her severe disabilities, the Sinclairs have invested thousands in their home to make life as comfortable as possible for her.

And until the plot next door was sold off, the family were convinced they had found their dream home.

"We had the whole place geared to provide a lovely, quiet little backwater for Angie," said Mr Sinclair, 67.

"Everything has been specially adapted so she can get around and outside, but now you cannot hear yourself think when you are in the garden.

"It has completely obliterated our peace and quiet and our lovely pastoral view. We have tried to take Angie outside but it is impossible because the dust is so bad."

The Sinclairs' misery is shared by most who live on the narrow, windy Cockin Lane, where some fear the soil could be in danger of slipping and swamping homes and fields.

The 24 tonne lorries start at 7am, despite numerous signs warning the road is 'unsuitable for heavy vehicles'. Mr Sinclair has counted 14 huge truck loads arriving at the site before 8am.

Dr Andrew Leeming and his wife Launa have lived on Cockin Lane for 17 years.

"This is a narrow country lane which is not made for these lorries," said Mrs Leeming. "This is a very special valley which Bradford ought to protect for the sake of its people."

And neighbours Alan and Dorothy Senior claimed the weight of the huge lorries is aggravating cracks in the road. "Sooner or later someone is going to be killed by one of those lorries," said Mr Senior.

Councillor Elaine Byrom (Con, Clayton) said she had "great sympathy" for the residents and called for immediate enforcement action.

"I feel extremely sorry for what has happened to John and his family," she said. "It has brought them great misery and made an environmental mess of a country road. It is impossible to pass at times.

"The problem of illegal tipping is something we must get a grip of in Bradford. It seems these companies can always get away with it - but they will not this time."

A Bradford Council planning spokesman said: "There is no valid planning consent for the tipping taking place at Cockin Lane and we will be taking legal action against the owners of this site and the tipping operator."

Myles Delaney, manager of Bradford-based Delaneys, declined to comment. He said residents should contact him personally "if they have a problem".

A spokesman for the Royal Mail's recreation department would also not comment.