BRISTOLIANS are being urged to snitch on anyone they find dumping sofas, mattresses, fridges and other large items of rubbish in the city.

The plea comes after it was revealed that cleaning up the junk is costing Bristol council tax payers over £100,000 per year.

In a major national campaign, organised by Keep Britain Tidy, people are being asked to report those they catch fly-tipping.

The Council and the Environment Agency will then spring into action and either try and catch the offenders red-handed or set up a trap to get them next time.

Keep Britain Tidy met Bristol City Council and the Environment Agency at one of the city's dumps in Airport Road, Knowle.

Amanda Booth, regional director of Keep Britain Tidy, said: 'The main reason people fly-tip rubbish is because they don't think they'll ever get caught. And the fact that less than ten per cent of councils across the South West ever prosecute anyone for it means, at present, they're probably right.

'But with the public's help, this campaign will make sure they get the message that someone's watching them and that if they do it, they're sure to suffer the consequences.'

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Dateline: Wednesday, April 30, 2003