A senior councillor has blasted the people responsible for leaving hazardous materials near a public toilet in Holland-on-Sea.

Nick Tuner, Tendring District Council’s (TDC) cabinet member for environment and coast protection, has highlighted just how much it cost to clear up the asbestos that was left in Ipswich Road.

And an urgent plea has been made to help track down those responsible for the incident that was reported on Monday.

Specialist contractors had to be brought in by TDC to remove the asbestos, which can cause cancer.

The cost of this was around £600 and came just three days after a general build-up of rubbish had been cleared from the same site.

Mr Turner said: “These environmental terrorists are not just costing the council – they will have got the work because they will no doubt have been paid cash, hold no waste carrier’s credentials or be VAT registered or paying income tax – so the cost to UK plc is huge.

“Residents have a social responsibility to check all these points before employing a contractor and if they can’t demonstrate legitimacy then use someone else.

“One of our own residents will know full well who did this because it would be their home, or their neighbour’s home, that this toxic waste came from and I would ask them to come forward urgently.”

The area where the material was dumped is between a resident’s fence and the Ipswich Road public toilets, which are owned by the council.

A photo of the material dumped has been released by council in the hope someone may recognise it and be able to help in the investigation.

It can be viewed on the council’s latest news page on their website www.tendringdc.gov.uk

Anyone who can help is asked to contact TDC on 01255 686788.