A HUNT has been launched for flytippers who dumped one of the largest quantities of waste, ever recorded in Hampshire.

Bosses from the environment agency and council chiefs are looking to identify the culprits after large pile of junk left in the Hampshire countryside.

The rubbish which included a TV, sofa, tyres and even a van was abandoned on a Trumps Lane in the Hamlet of North Boarhunt, near Fareham towards the end of last week.

Executive cabinet member for Public Protection, Councillor Trevor Cartwright from Fareham Borough Council said the council has a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach to fly-tippers.

He added: “Fareham is an attractive place and we want to keep it that way but unfortunately some people think they can dump rubbish wherever they like.

"Our recent successful prosecution for fly-tipping sends out a clear message to everyone that the council has a zero tolerance approach to the offence.”

The Environment Agency’s Environmental Crime Officer for Fareham, Neil Davies said: “This case appears to be intentional large-scale avoidance of waste disposal costs and it is vital that we identify where the items have come from and who took it there, this is not a matter of simple fly-tipping.”

“If an innocent party has handed it to a contractor for disposal, then they won’t be in any trouble and will have critical information for us.

“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.”

Mr Oliver suspects the waste was more likely to have been transported to the site in a large vehicle which would have stood out.

He has asked those who have seen the material in question on a truck or lorry to come forward.

The incident occurred just several days after one of the area’s most troublesome fly-tippers, Ashley Mooney was jailed for 12 months after continuously fly tipping for over three months in various locations across Hampshire including Fareham, Winchester and Gosport.

Anybody with any information on the case can call the Environment Agency’s crime team on 0208