A man has been ordered to carry out community service after fly-tipping rubbish in Mereworth.

In February Alfred Rossiter, of A.J. Roofing, left a toilet, bath panels and a bucket which had been building up outside a property in the village in Beech Road.

The 39-year-old admitted depositing controlled waste on land without an environmental permit, an offence under the Environmental Protection Act, at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

He also admitted taking kitchen units, a gas cooker and tiles through the village in May without a licence in breach of the Control of Pollution Act.

A third charge of failing to comply with a duty imposed under the Environmental Protection Act was dropped.

Rossiter, of Sandwich Road, Ramsgate, was given a one-year community order, must carry out 60 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,445.

Cllr David Lettington, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council's cabinet member for street scene and environment services, said: "There is absolutely no excuse for fly tipping. Dumping waste is hazardous to the public, harmful to the environment and continues to be a huge financial burden on the council taxpayer. We will continue to do all we possibly can to ensure that those who deface our environment in this way are brought to justice."

To find out more about rubbish disposal services, to report a fly-tipping incident or to notify the TMBC of suspected fly-tippers in the borough visit www.tmbc.gov.uk, email waste.services@tmbc.gov.uk or call the refuse and recycling helpline on 01732 87147.