A VILLAGE road has been closed after it was used as a dumping ground for a lorry load of commercial waste including asbestos.

An urgent appeal has now been made in a bid to catch those responsible for fly-tipping about three tonnes of rubbish in Lovers Lane, Great Bentley.

The large pile, which had to be cordoned off, contained a significant amount of asbestos which was taken away by specialist contractors yesterday morning.

The incident happened on Saturday evening in the road which links up with St Mary’s Road.

It was reported by a resident and Essex County Council Highways went out to carry out the traffic closure.

Tendring District Council (TDC) organised for the waste to be removed at a cost of about �1,000.

Nick Turner, who is responsible for the environment on TDC, said he hoped someone saw the tipping and asked anyone with information to come forward.

“This is environmental vandalism pure and simple and we want to catch those responsible,” he said.

“It will cost several hundred pounds of taxpayers’ money to get it cleared away and there is also considerable inconvenience for people living in that area while the road remains shut.

“If we can get the necessary evidence we will not hesitate to prosecute. Anyone convicted could face a fine through the courts of anything between �5,000 and �50,000.”

Mr Turner said that anyone who can help should contact the council’s fly-tipping hotline on 01255 686768.

The waste included roof tiles, plasterboard and carpet and looked as though it could have been from an extension or garage which had been demolished.