ANGRY shopowners have branded the illegal tipping next to their property "vile and revolting".

Pat and Ray Roberts, owners of Bury Metal Polishing were furious when local residents and businesses began using the side of their property on Victoria Street as a rubbish dump.

"Since the building next door to us closed down last year people think they can use the place as a tip," said Mrs Roberts.

"It is absolutely disgusting. We have found everything from household rubbish to bits of road and tarmac. There are also rats all over the place and the smell is horrendous - surely that must be a health risk?"

Environmental health officers were called by Mr and Mrs Roberts last December to look at the problem but the couple have not heard anything since.

"We have called the council to deal with the problem but nothing has been done. This has been going on for months now, we are getting really desperate."

A council spokeman said: "Following an investigation by environmental health staff we have spoken to a local resident over the illegal tipping of household waste. Arrangements have been made to remove this and the situation, we believe, has been resolved."

He added it is not council policy to remove waste of a non-threatening type from privately-owned land but said they would be monitoring the situation.

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