FLYTIPPERS are being warned that they will be brought to justice after a woman was prosecuted for illegally dumping rubbish sacks close to her home.

Janet Pollard, 44, of Warwick Drive, Padiham, admitted she had dumped the sacks when interviewed by enforcement officers from Burnley Council.

Miss Sajada Khan, prosecuting on behalf of Burnley Council, said the sacks were initially discovered on land behind Warwick Drive by a refuse collection officer from the council in February.

Subsequent investigations by the council officers revealed that the rubbish had come from Pollard's property.

When appearing before magistrates in Reedley, Pollard pleaded guilty to depositing controlled waste on the land, contrary to Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Magistrates subsequently imposed a 12 month conditional discharge on her for the offence. In addition she was ordered to pay £150 in costs.

Magistrates said that only Pollard's decision to plead guilty had prevented a longer period being applied for the conditional discharge.

In addition the court stated if the defendant committed any further offences during the discharge period she would be in breach of the order. Joyce Walkden, Burnley Council's Principal Environmental Health Officer, said that the case showed that rubbish cannot be dumped anonymously.

She said: "This case shows that people cannot think they can dump their household waste anonymous-ly and then get away with it.

"Not only is this kind of activity extremely anti-social but it is can cause serious environmental hazards.

"We would urge anyone who spots individuals fly tipping, or attempting to illegally dump household waste to call the Anti-Social Behaviour Hotline on 0845 605 2222."