HUNDREDS of tyres, fridges and food waste were found dumped on land in Darwen.

Council bosses have vowed to crack down on fly-tipping after the “disgraceful” incident off Gordon Street.

Officers discovered more than 500 tyres as well as car parts, food waste and bags of paperwork in January.

A taxi firm owner has accepted a caution in relation to the mess.

Robert Davidson, of Chippy’s Taxis, Darwen, was charged with breaches of the Environmental Protection Act for allegedly allowing waste from his business to be dumped.

Some of the bags, which have since been removed, were traced to Davidson by enforcement officers. He was contacted but refused to be interviewed and instead elected to go to the crown court.

After taking legal advice, council bosses decided not to pursue him in the crown court because it could have been “expensive and protracted” but Davidson accepted a caution admitting some responsibility for the fly-tipping.

Councillor Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration and environment, said: “We will fully investigate any incidents of fly tipping which are reported to us and where possible, we will prosecute.”

Ward councillor Eileen Entwistle added: “I think it’s disgraceful that people fly-tip. All they need to do is use dustbins or get rubbish taken away.

“It’s just laziness, and not fair to other people.”

In September a beauty spot between Waterside and Belthorn was finally cleared of thousands of dumped sinks after the council prosecuted the landowner.