A PILE of asbestos sheets has been illegally dumped at a Greenock beauty spot.

The potentially dangerous material was left lying next to Gryffe Reservoir just off Garshangan Road, near Dowries Farm.

Mike Holcombe, who is the senior countryside ranger at Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, is outraged at the fly-tipping incident and says the corrugated roof sheets pose a huge risk to the public.

He said: "It's absolutely appalling.

"To dump stuff which is dangerous and hazardous to human health leaves me lost for words.

"Kids go walking down there, and dog walkers, and it has also been dumped next to a drinking water reservoir."

Mike says the asbestos appears to be corrugated roofing from an old garage or shed.

He added: "It's pure selfishness.

"There would obviously be a cost involved in getting rid of it because it's dangerous stuff.

"So I guess they thought they would dump it instead."

A bird watcher, who raised the alarm, said: "It's dangerous stuff and it has been dumped in a public place which people pass every day."

When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air.

When these fibres are inhaled they can cause serious and fatal diseases.

The land where the asbestos sheets have been dumped belongs to Scottish Water, who say their reservoir staff are now aware.

A Scottish Water spokesperson added: “We will investigate the matter as quickly as possible and, if such material has been dumped on our land, we will remove it as soon as possible.”