Flytippers who dump rubbish on isolated country lanes have been warned they will be prosecuted.

Braintree Council officers say illegal dumping of household and construction waste on country roads is on the increase in Braintree district.

Last week a bed was dumped in Crabbs Lane, Hatfield Peverel, the latest in a long line of rubbish left in lanes around the village.

Keith Bigden, Conservative councillor for Hatfield Peverel said: "It's becoming more of a problem in and around the village and the council is coming down very heavily on flytipping."

Lee Crabb environmental protection officer for Braintree Council said: "We have a problem all over the district, but around Hatfield Peverel there are a lot of country lanes which prove attractive to flytippers."

Mr Crabb added: "As a warning I will say if we identify who these people are then we will prosecute."

Mr Crabb said that flytipping had increased since charges went up for dumping construction waste at landfill sites and picking up large household waste.

In a new crackdown, he has told flytippers they face fines up to £2,000 and risk losing the vehicle used to dump rubbish in rural areas.

In 1999, 256 flytippings were reported in the district with courts imposing about £3,500 in fines.

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