AN Otley councillor is threatening to go to the ombudsman over rubbish burning on a car boot sale site.

Councillor Phil Coyne claims rubbish burned at Bridge End every week after the Sunday sales cause noxious fumes that spread over homes in nearby Billams Hill, Newall Mount and Bridge Avenue.

"Every week following the car boot sale there is rubbish burned there, I've seen televisions, phones and plastic bags being burned and burning plastic produces dioxins," he said. Coun Coyne, who first complained about the rubbish burning two years ago, added he has now lost patience with Leeds City Council.

"Lots of people have now mentioned it to me and I am fed up with the lack of action, I have made a formal complaint and if I don't hear anything in three weeks I shall refer the matter to the local government ombudsman."

A spokeswoman for Leeds City Council said: "We have received several complaints from local residents regarding the burning of allegedly hazardous materials following weekend car boot sales.

"It is important that we witness such fires, to enable us to decide if they cause a nuisance or are dangerous, and take the relevant action. Unfortunately, no officer has yet been witness to them.

"We would be grateful if local residents could provide photographic or video evidence of these fires taking place, to assist us with our investigation.

"We have made suggestions to the local residents who have made these complaints, on how to inform Environmental Health officers when these fires are taking place.

"The health and safety of local residents is of prime importance to us, and we can guarantee that we will take all such complaints seriously."