A stern warning has been issued to fly-tippers amid claims that asbestos was among rubbish dumped on a rural road.

A section of Crooked Lane in Queensbury is covered in leftover building materials, including metal bars, what remains of old roofing and broken panelling.

A walker who discovered the fly-tipping mess suggested some of the waste looked similar to asbestos sheeting.

Chris Brooking said the sight left him disappointed as it had been scattered across a popular walking route which connects Bradford to the Calderdale Way.

Bradford Council has since vowed to prosecute the culprit behind what it described as a “horrible crime”.

Mr Brooking told the Telegraph & Argus: “When I saw it, I was really disappointed that people could ruin such a lovely place.

“I was then concerned that people with children might walk there and the kids go ahead and touch it or pick it up.

“I am pretty certain it is asbestos having seen that type of roofing in an old outbuilding at a school that needed specialists to remove it. The flat bits look like asbestos sheeting that we used to have in the science labs at school in the 1970s, they probably don't anymore.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Fly-tipping on Crooked Lane in QueensburyFly-tipping on Crooked Lane in Queensbury (Image: Chris Brooking)

He added: “Crooked Lane is on the Calderdale Way, a long distance walking route that is supposed to show off the highlights of Calderdale.

“It includes some very nice paths, and at one time descending into the valley then heading off towards Ogden, this was very nice too. Now I think it shames Calderdale.”

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “Fly-tipping dangerous materials such as asbestos is clearly unacceptable and we do everything we can to prevent and prosecute this horrible crime.

“We will clear the site as soon as possible and will look at deploying surveillance cameras to gather future evidence and prosecute offenders.

“Fly-tipping is a serious crime and if found guilty, perpetrators can be fined up to £50,000, receive a criminal record and be sent to prison for up to a year.

“If anyone has witnessed anything relating to this, please get in touch with our team by calling 01274 432111.”   

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

Have you got a story for us? Email newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.ukcontact us here or call us on 01274 705292.