FILTHY fly-tippers have struck again in Inverclyde - this time in Port Glasgow.

A pile of building materials and a mattress have been discovered dumped in Sunnyside Avenue, near to St Martin's Church which recently closed.

An outraged resident tipped off the Tele and we alerted Inverclyde Council.

The resident said: "The road down to St Martin's Church in Port Glasgow was blocked off last year but now all the beams are gone.

"Someone dumped an entire metal scaffolding there, among a lot of other trash that regularly gets set on fire."

Another resident added: "It's absolutely disgraceful to dump rubbish like that - it's an eyesore.

"It looks like it's mostly building materials.

"When will people learn it's not on to offload their litter in the community like that?"

Inverclyde Council expressed frustration at the problem and said they are investigating the incident to see who owns the land.

A spokesman said: “Fly-tipping is a serious and ongoing problem across the whole of Inverclyde.

"Clearing it up costs the council and private land owners thousands of pounds every year.

"In the council’s case this is cash which could otherwise be spent on services for local communities.

“Fly-tipping is also entirely unnecessary as the council provides a bulky collection service for household items such as furniture, mattresses, carpets and white goods.

"Dumb dumpers can also face a £200 on the spot fine.

"If they’re convicted in court the fine can be as much as £40,000.

"We always investigate fly-tipping.

"We pursue those responsible and, where we have sufficient evidence, we push for the heaviest fines possible."

The council spokesman also said that householders have responsibility to play their part in stamping out the illegal practice.

He said: “People who have work done by builders or gardening firms, or who use a company to clear their house, are ultimately responsible for making sure any rubble, cuttings or rubbish are disposed of properly.

"If it ends up being illegally dumped, then the householder can be fined.

"This is why we always advise people to use a Trusted Trader from the list on the council’s website.”