A fly-tipper from Ottery has been fined £200 by the district council for dumping household waste in a Cadhay Lane lay-by.

East Devon District Council’s environmental health and StreetScene teams are carrying out investigations into a number of offences around the area.

A council spokeswoman said anyone seen littering or fly-tipping rubbish could face a fixed penalty up to £400. “Most of these are small amounts of waste dumped in fields and open spaces from car boots or after parties,” she said.

“Sometimes offenders say that someone else took the rubbish, but the person ultimately responsible will be the one who we can link to the waste, usually from details found within it,” said the spokeswoman.

The teams have looked at areas in Exmouth, where pizza boxes and black bags were left in a wood and in a river.

The spokeswoman added: “Anyone seen littering or fly-tipping rubbish will be pursued and they will be charged clear-up costs, as well as the fine. The fixed penalties range from £80 to £400, depending on the circumstances.

“Larger scale fly-tips will be referred for prosecution.”