THE Tidy Britain Group, which campaigns for people to be more environmentally friendly, believes the new ban will result in more fly-tipping.

A spokesman said: "We are planning a campaign on fly-tipping because there is no doubt that it is getting worse, and policies like these aren't helping.

"People have to have it made easy for them to go green otherwise they won't do it. People will feel aggrieved at having to pay to get rid of domestic waste at commercial centres just because they are driving a van. Many people won't go to the effort to fit it all in a car and will just tip it at the side of the road. The policy should be more flexible."

They have already done a survey on fly-tipping which revealed 98 per cent of local councils thought it was a problem in their area. Just two per cent weren't concerned by it because it wasn't a problem. At the same time, the majority of fly-tipping was found to be domestic waste - proof, say the group, that the public are reluctant to go green at the best of times.

It is a view shared by councillors.

Paul Browne, Lib Dem leader on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "People who have maybe put some new windows in or want to get rid of a sofa quickly shouldn't have to pay for the privilege.

"We should be looking at what the waste is and allowing people to dispose of domestic waste at our domestic tips no matter what they drive."

Ronnie O'Keeffe, president of Blackburn's chamber of trade, said: "A blanket ban on vans is a bit heavy-handed and it will lead to more fly-tipping which just makes places unattractive and puts people off from visiting us."