Residents have been warned of rogue waste collectors after a suspect was rapped for dumping goods in a company's skip.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) tracked down the suspect after a skip was filled with car parts and household waste at Winstanley Windows in Ross Way, Folkestone.

The dumper, a local removal company worker told investigators he knew Winstanley Windows staff however, they denied any dealings with him and he was fined £300.

“Our environmental protection officers managed to track down the dumper who works for a local removal company.

"He had helped a resident move from Folkestone to Lydd, but the problems started when he arranged to take away some of her waste in a hired van.

"Instead of disposing of it properly, he dumped it in the skip,” said Cllr Stuart Peall, cabinet member for environment.

The suspect told council officers he knew Winstanley Windows staff and claimed he had put only paper in a paper recycling skip in January.

But officers discovered a fly-tip of car parts, paper, cardboard boxes, lights and a tyre.

Cllr Peall renewed calls for residents to use only registered waste collectors.

“If someone offers to clear your rubbish for a tenner there is a good chance they will simply take it and dump it. Genuine clearers will not mind you asking if they are registered,” he said.

Penalty notices for fly-tipping were introduced in 2016 to make taking enforcement action on smaller offences quicker and easier than going to court.

Major offences carry a fine of up to £50,000 or 12 months in prison.