A Colchester housing estate is being plagued by a mystery dumper who could be putting lives at risk.

A number of large fridge-freezers have appeared on footpaths and near flats on the Greenstead estate.

Now council workers fear children could end up playing with them and getting locked inside.

They are calling for the person who is leaving the fridges to stop the irresponsible behaviour.

And they also want to hear from anyone who knows who the culprit is.

Barry Udale, manager of Colchester Council's Greenstead housing office, said the dumping was even more frustrating because there was actually a council service which picks up fridge-freezers from resident's doorsteps every week.

Mr Udale said: "This behaviour is so irresponsible. These freezers are the lock-up kind. Children could easily get inside them and get locked in."

They are also an obstacle for people using the footpaths and make the estate look unsightly.

One fridge was dumped near Willow Tree Court on Hawthorn Avenue and others near Heatley Way and Prospero Close.

Colchester Council is making arrangements to remove them.

Anyone interested in the fridge-freezer collection service should call 01206 282700.

If you know who is leaving them on the estate contact Mr Udale on 01206 790899.

Calls will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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