GRIEVING families have hit out after heartless fly-tippers dumped a mountain of rubbish right at the entrance of an Inverclyde cemetery.

The shocking mess was left at Port Glasgow Cemetery, just off Glasgow Road.

Amongst the items thoughtlessly discarded was plasterboard, a bin, coving, insulation, clothing - and even a bird cage.

One outraged mourner, who asked not to be named, said: "It's completely out of order - a disgrace.

"There's a lot of building materials so it's as if someone has been renovating their house and then they've just dumped the rubbish.

"To dump it at the entrance to a cemetery where people are buried is absolutely shocking - there's a complete disrespect for grieving families."

A spokesperson for Inverclyde Council today condemned at the act.

They said: “Fly-tipping is a crime against the community.

"Scottish local authorities have to spend around £53 million a year clearing up litter and fly-tipping.

"This is money which could be better spent on facilities and services for local people.

"Fly-tipping at a cemetery is particularly low.

“The material dumped at the cemetery looks as though it has gone from a house renovation."

An investigation is now under way to try and identify those responsible.

The local authority spokesman added: "Householders need to be very careful when employing builders as they are ultimately responsible for making sure any rubble, cuttings or rubbish is disposed of properly.

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

“Just this week a local litter bug was hit with an £80 fixed penalty notice after we were sent video footage of them dumping rubbish.”

Illegal dumping has become a common problem in Inverclyde.

The Tele has reported on a number of stories highlighting discarded furniture, tyres, construction and garden waste, car batteries and household waste at local beauty spots.

Inverclyde Council's environmental and public protection service have powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to issue fixed penalty notices of £200 if there is sufficient evidence to prove an individual has illegally dumped items in Inverclyde.

To report fly-tipping phone Inverclyde Council on 717171, email customerservice@inverclyde.gov.uk or visit www.inverclyde.gov.uk