The "foolish" owners of a former pub, who used it as a dumping ground for rubbish, have now been ordered to pay nearly £2,000.

The rear-garden at the Two Bells Inn, in Canterbury Road, Folkestone, was discovered littered with household waste and broken furniture when Folkestone and Hythe District Council environmental enforcement officers visited it.

Several warnings were given to landowner 2 Bells Development Limited, based in Southall, Middlesex, about the mess, who were told they could face formal action if the land was not cleared.

But the company ignored both the Community Protection Warning and Community Protection Notice (CPN) issued over a two-month period, forcing the council to step in and tidy the site up instead.

It took two workers a full day to clear the garden.

As a result the company was taken to court and pleaded guilty to breaching a CPN at Folkestone Magistrates on Monday, September 16.

It was fined £700 and ordered to pay costs of £1,176 to FHDC.

Cllr Stuart Peall, cabinet member for enforcement, regulatory services, waste and building control, said: "2 Bells Development Limited were foolish to ignore the repeated warnings to clean up the unacceptable amount of waste left to fester and grow over time.

"This formal action reinforces our determination to stop selfish individuals and companies blighting our district with unsightly mess."

The pub is currently closed.

The prosecution comes just weeks after the authority warned homeowners about being responsible for disposing of rubbish in the correct way.

Residents who give their rubbish to be disposed of by a person or firm should check the waste carrier has a valid licence.

Anyone fooled by an unscrupulous operator which goes on to fly-tip could face a fine of up to £2,500.

To check who has the correct waste carrier licence, contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506506.

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