Two men have been prosecuted after a beauty spot was trashed with fly-tipped rubbish.

Land on Scotland Common in Temple Ewell was left with waste such as household items, cardboard boxes, a bed frame, wood, tools and personal items including trophies and video.

Now one defendant was ordered to pay nearly £3,000 in fines and cost and another ordered to do community work when they appeared before Folkestone magistrates on Monday, March 26.

Dover District Council's environmental enforcement team was called to the common and found the rubbish in March 206.

This is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The officers examined the waste and uncovered documents and items relating to two homes in Canterbury.

Investigations revealed that the properties' owners had contacted one of the defendants, Stephen Morley, to arrange for the waste to be removed as part of a house clearance. But the material was subsequently fly-tipped.

Morley, 53, of Buttermere Gardens, Aylesham, was convicted for failing to fulfil his duty of care in respect of waste under Section 34(1) Environmental Protection Act 1990.

He pleaded guilty and was slapped with a £675 fine and ordered to pay at £67 victim surcharge, and £1,980.50 costs.

Shane Amos, 29, of Canterbury Road, Folkestone was convicted of fly-tipping under section 33(1) Environmental Protection Act 1990.

He had pleaded not guilty but was convicted and received a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work.

He also has to pay an £85 victim surcharge, and a £800 contribution towards costs.

The prosecution of both men was brought by Dover District Council.

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, DDC, cabinet member for environmental protection, said after the hearing: “Waste carriers have a responsibility to ensure that waste they collect is properly disposed of, including by any sub-contractors or others they may employ to undertake the clearance.

" This sends a clear signal that we will not tolerate fly-tipping.”