Hundreds of rubbish bags have been dumped in a Hampshire village.

The Environment Agency has launched an appeal after 300 bags of roof insulation waste were found in Marchwood. The specific location cannot be named for legal reasons.

Environmental Crime Officers recovered evidence from an agricultural property in Marchwood on May 30 in response to information received about the illegal dumping, storage and burning of controlled waste.

Evidence was recovered of a long-term enterprise where builders waste, demolition rubble, waste soils and green waste had accumulated, causing environmental damage to the land. Much of the waste was then burned, including the numerous black bin liners containing roof insulation.

The Environment Agency has now released photos in an effort to find out where the waste originally came from.

Nigel Oliver, area environmental crime officer, said: “I believe this waste will have originated locally and is from commercial activity. I urge anyone in the construction and demolition business or property maintenance who recognises this waste to contact us with information.

“The site is in a very bad state and we need help from the public to identify those bringing it to the site and dumping it. The main waste pile was still burning when we arrived. I can’t imagine what the smoke and smell of the insulation burning must have made when it was fully alight.

“If an innocent party has handed this waste to a contractor for disposal then they won’t be in any trouble and will have critical information for us. I hope that someone recognises their items amongst the waste and will let us know in confidence about who agreed to dispose of them.

“This kind of environmental crime is completely unacceptable as it can cause pollution, harm to wildlife and it creates a total eyesore for those living nearby.”

Anyone who has any information can contact the Environment Agency’s local Environmental Crime Team on 0208 474 5923 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. All calls will be treated in confidence.