TWO businessmen have been fined thousands of pounds for dumping waste on a Hampshire beauty spot.

Council chiefs took the pair to court after piles of building rubbish dumped in an area of the South Downs National Park.

Old uPVC double glazed door frames, wood, tyres and paint pots were left strewn across a field near Droxford.

Now Wickham builder Andrew Greek and Philip Stead from Southampton have both been prosecuted through the courts.

The action came after a tip-off from a member of the public who found the waste and reported it to Winchester City Council.

Two separate fly-tips were found on a bridleway near Cott Street, a previous target for fly-tippers.

Follow-up investigations identified the individuals concerned and prosecutions followed.

Andrew Greek of Greek Construction, Wickham, appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on May 24.

He pleaded guilty to three breaches of section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 related to the dumping of builders’ waste.

He received a fine and costs totalling £3,922.

Philip Stead of All Seasons Southern Ltd, Southampton, also appeared at the same court and pleaded guilty to breaches of section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for the dumping of a uPVC door and frame.

He was fined with costs totalling £1,700.

Cllr Frank Pearson, portfolio holder for environment at Winchester City Council, said: “Winchester City Council takes a dim view of those who fly-tip because their actions are a blight on society and a drain on the public purse.

“Wherever possible the city council enforcement officer will work with other services across the council to take robust action against those identified as the perpetrators.

“This can sometimes include working with neighbouring local authorities to bring the perpetrator to the courts as the council believes that authority boundaries should be invisible for this type of offence.”

Anyone who witnesses fly-tipping or wishes to report incidents should do so via the online reporting system and app at www.winchester.gov.uk/report.contact or call the city council on 01962 840222 or