COUNCIL chiefs are hoping to prosecute the person responsible for a fly-tipping incident in the centre of a Hampshire village.

A large amount of waste - including plastic containers used to store liquid - was dumped next to recycling bins in a car park in the New Forest.

The district council says it has evidence relating to the vehicle involved and hopes to prosecute the culprit.

Roy Russell, the council's enforcement officer, said the rubbish included 98 plastic containers, clothing, a suitcase and other general household waste.

He said the cost of removing it would be at least £500.

Mr Russell added: "We have evidence of the vehicle involved and expect to take this to prosecution. The evidence is part of the ongoing investigation and is confidential at present."

It is the latest in a spate of fly-tipping incidents in the New Forest and other parts of south-west Hampshire.

Last month it was revealed that Eastleigh had seen the third largest fly-tipping increase in the country, with a 266% rise taking place between April 2020 and March 2021.

That was even higher than the increase in Winchester, where incidents almost doubled.

As reported in the Daily Echo, fly-tipped waste was found almost 10,000 times in Southampton in 2020-21, according to figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

No fines resulting from court convictions were issued between 2019 and 2021 but the city council has vowed to get tough.

Speaking last month Cllr Steven Galton said: "Ensuring pro-active action, to tackle the blight that is fly-tipping, has been a top priority of the new Conservative-run council.

"We are expanding our enforcement teams so more incidents can be investigated and we stand the best chance of securing convictions."

In a message to the public Cllr Galton added: "We still need your help as sometimes the only way to secure a conviction is with witness statements and evidence.

“The small minority that fly-tip cause frustration and anger with the vast majority of residents that dispose of their rubbish and unwanted items in a socially responsible and environmentally-friendly way.

“There is also a cost attached to clearing up fly-tips which is paid for by everyone in the city, not just the council.”