A serial fly-tip suspect's image has been unveiled in a council's unprecedented move to trace them.

CCTV footage recently caught the woman dumping rubbish four times in the centre of Folkestone, opposite an award winning park.

Cllr Stuart Peall, Folkestone and Hythe District Council's cabinet member for environment, hopes releasing the images will send an "important message" to would-be-crooks.

He said: “There appears to be no good reason for this person to leave her unwanted belongings outside someone’s house and it’s odd that she has visited the same place four

different times to do so.

“Thankfully, she has been caught on CCTV so we have been able to share the stills in the hope that someone will recognise her.

“Fly-tipping is a crime – whether you’re dumping rubbish in a country lane or leaving your carefully piled-up belongings outside someone’s house – and we will always seek to

identify those responsible.

“It also sends an important message that this behaviour won’t be tolerated by those of us who follow the rules and work to protect the beautiful environment we’re so lucky to live

in,” he said.

A concerned resident handed over CCTV footage showing the woman dumping rubbish outside a house in Radnor Park Crescent, opposite the Green Flag rated Radnor Park.

It shows the same suspect on four different occasions, most recently January 2 at 9.20am, and council officials are keen to speak to her.

In the latest video, dressed in a red top, wearing glasses and with shoulder length hair, the suspect can be seen dumping a small table and other items.

It comes as Folkestone Town Sprucer Peter Philips claims fly-tipping is becoming increasingly common in the Folkestone and Hythe district.

"I see it every day. Yesterday we saw a garden shed and other household items, it is just so de-moralising for people to see.

"Crete Road East and West are particularly bad - it's going on all the time."

Speaking about the council's plight to catch their suspect Mr Philips added: "Why should they get away with it when everyone else disposes of their rubbish responsibly?"

• If you recognise the woman in the image please contact environmental.services@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk or call 01303 853660.