ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners have accused councils of creating 'a flytipping charter,' after a ban was slapped on vans from using public tips.

The cars-only policy was introduced by two councils earlier this year in a bid to reduce the amount of rubbish going into landfill sites. It came after some firms were believed to be abusing the free service by dumping trade instead of just household waste.

But now, everyone bringing a van to the household recycling centres is being turned away, even if the items on board are obviously domestic, such as old sofas.

Drivers are being told to either fill up their cars with the rubbish and go back again or, in the case of bulky items, ring up their local council and arrange for it to be picked up. Some borough councils said it could take them two weeks for items to be picked up from the day they are left outside.

A spokesman for Encams, formerly the Tidy Britain Group, said: "We are planning a campaign on flytipping because there is no doubt that it is getting worse, and policies like these aren't helping. People don't follow the rules.

"They have a right to drop domestic waste. Our studies show the majority of fly-tipped rubbish is domestic waste and these rules are only making the problems worse."

Coun 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. It's a charter for fly-tipping."

Ronnie O'Keeffe, president of Blackburn's chamber of trade, said: "A blanket ban on vans is a bit heavy-handed and will lead to more flytipping, which just makes places unattractive and puts people off from visiting us. There needs to be more flexibility to the system. Someone who has fitted theirthere own bathroom shouldn't have to pay trade waste fees to get rid of their stuff when they want to do it. A lot of people will just dump it and that makes the area look bad."

The ban on vans was introduced as part of a package of measures aimed at reducing the amount of waste which is put into landfill sites every year. If the council does not achieve government targets within 10 years, it will be charged a tax for every extra tonne of landfill it buries.

People using the tips are now expected to break down their rubbish into different recycling categories.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has pointed out that people with large household objects which need throwing out, such as sofas or tables, can have them taken away free by them. But, whereas officers ask for the item to be left in back gardens and promise to pick them up within five days, other councils take longer.

Ribble Valley Council, for example, asks for items to be left for up to two weeks and Hyndburn Council seven.

Some councils also charge for the service. Chorley Borough Council quoted £18 for removing a sofa left on drives, and said it would take at least five working days.