A councillor has blasted fly-tippers who turned a Bradford beauty spot into an eyesore by dumping scores of cardboard boxes.

Bradford Council was alerted by a member of the public after a pile of empty fruit and vegetable crates and boxes was left on the middle of Baildon Moor.

Employees from the enforcement section of the Council's cleansing department were on the scene within hours and officers are now attempting to track down the fly-tippers.

It is thought the rubbish may have been left at the side of Bingley Road by a fruit and veg trader. A smaller pile of rubbish was also dumped on land off nearby Glen Road.

Councillor John Cole (Lib Dem, Baildon) said: "I think it's disgusting that someone should deliberately tip such a large quantity of trash in such a beautiful spot as this.

"Baildon Moor is a wonderful recreational facility shared by golfers, hang-gliders, ramblers and riders but these people just trashed it - it was premeditated vandalism.

But he added: "I'm delighted at how quickly the enforcement section of the cleansing department responded. I'd be happy for the Council to throw the book at them and if they're caught would call for a prosecution through the courts and a stiff fine.''

A resident, who did not want to be named, said: "This was professional fly-tipping. It's a disgrace and if they can be found the people who do this sort of thing should be made to clear up the mess themselves.''

A Council spokesman said the area would be monitored by the enforcement team and called for people to report any illegal dumping by calling (01274) 751000.

Councillor Keith Thomson (Lab, Wibsey), lead member for waste management, said efforts to track down the fly-tippers would continue, adding that those successfully prosecuted faced a fine of up to £2,000.

He said fly-tipping had increased since landfill charges were increased several years ago. But he said the Council would take, free of charge, 'relatively clean' cardboard from traders at its waste transfer station in Bowling Back Lane, Bradford.

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