Fly tippers are ruining the look of picture postcard Haworth.

Complaints have been lodged by tourists about illegal dumping of rubbish in the village - the district's biggest attraction because of its historic links with the Bront sisters.

Businessman Ted Evans is the owner of a car park in Rawdon Road which is one of the worst affected areas for fly-tipping.

Mr Evans' son Gareth said he frequently calls the Council out to remove rubbish which is illegally dumped and which has included an old settee.

"It's a constant battle for me. I moved a load of stuff the other day. There were a whole lot of tourist information leaflets and I don't know how they all got there," he said.

"I know it's bad but it's a big piece of land. I have a lad working on Sundays, but it's only one day a week."

Mike Hill, director of the Bront Parsonage Museum, said he was concerned to see the whole of Haworth in a good state as it is such important tourist attraction.

He said: "It's a very important site for people from all around the world. We get people coming to us from all over the world, and we also have complaints from around the world, unfortunately. We really need everybody to work together."

Councillor Barry Thorne, Bradford Council's Executive member for culture, heritage and leisure, said: "It's a real pity that the owner of this site can't keep it clean.

"It creates a very bad impression for the tourists from all over the world who visit Haworth."

One visitor, who would not be named, described the car park as a battlefield "covered with litter, dog mess, mud, rubble and even an old settee."

"How can local people put up with this eyesore so close to Bront Parsonage, such an important literary shrine, known and loved throughout the world. Haworth is too important to be spoilt by this mess."

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