Fly-tippers in Thanet are more than £1,000 out of pocket after being taken to court by the district council.

The authority has brought prosecutions against three people who dumped waste near their homes.

Samuel Lee, of Ramsgate Road, Broadstairs; Robert McCallum, of Prestedge Avenue, Ramsgate; and Lisa Oram of Dane Mount, Margate, each pleaded guilty to fly-tipping.

Between them they were hit with fines and court costs totalling £1,170.

The council hopes the enforcement action will send out a strong message that fly-tippers will be taken to court.

Cllr Rosanna Taylor-Smith, the council's cabinet member for operational services, said: "Residents want to see a tougher approach to fly-tipping; one that will result in prosecutions and hopefully lead to a reduction of instances of fly-tipping in our district.

“We are proud of our district and this inconsiderate behaviour is damaging the local environment. There is no excuse and these cases show the serious consequences of illegally dumping waste.”

In the last year, 3,300 street scene enforcement actions have been carried out by the council.

They include handing out formal notices, on-the-spot fines and formal warnings, as well as pursuing prosecutions.

The council has also placed covert cameras in fly-tipping hotspot areas - which has already led to a successful capture.

A pokesman said: "TDC is committed to tackling environmental crime and has recently brought three successful fly-tipping prosecutions against Thanet residents who dumped waste in the vicinity of their own homes.

"The council invests considerable resources each year into cleaning up fly-tipped waste in the district.

"Its dedicated streetscene enforcement officers, who are leading a crackdown on the practice which blights roadsides and country lanes, fully investigate sites where fly-tipping has occurred.

"The team is determined to bring successful prosecutions against anyone dumping waste illegally.

"Residents of Thanet have a duty of care to ensure they only give their waste to registered waste carriers.

"Anyone who witnesses instances of fly-tipping is encouraged to report it online or via the My Thanet App."