Hundreds of tyres dumped in lanes

Now Wealden District Council is asking residents and businesses in the Hailsham area for help in catching the dumpers.

Tyre dumping is taking place across the whole of Wealden but it is particularly concentrated along quiet country lanes in the south of the district.

Dumpings have been reported in an area stretching from Arlington in the west, to Waldron in the north and Pevensey Marshes in the east.

Between April and December 2007 there were 47 incidents, some involving an individual tyre, others involving up to 100.

A council spokesman said: 'We've been finding them in groups of 50 to 70 strung out along the road verge as if they have been thrown out from a moving open-topped lorry or van with sliding doors.

'It's taking up a lot of hours of our street cleaning staff who could be working elsewhere in our communities.'

Cllr Sylvia Tidy, cabinet member for community development, said: 'Not only are they a terrible eyesore but it appears that some unscrupulous businesses expect Wealden's council taxpayers to foot the cost of removing their waste products while they break the law.'

Council officers are trying to track down the source of the tyres by visiting tyre fitting outlets and small garages.

They would appreciate businesses telling them if they are approached by someone offering to remove casings cheaper than the registered tyre removal companies.

'We would also welcome the public's help by contacting us if they see an unmarked vehicle carrying a large number of tyres. Information about the vehicle, its registration number, time and place of sighting would help us greatly but please do not approach anyone,' a council spokesman said.