Householders in Teignbridge 'could be liable for a heavy fine' if they dispose of their waste through a rogue contractor, a spokesperson for the district council has said.

It comes after a recent increase in flytipping incidents, which the council believes are being perpetrated by so-called 'rogue contractors' who dump waste collected from residents rather than disposing of it properly.

Councillor Alistair Dewhirst, Teignbridge District Council's lead member for waste and recycling said: "Many people don't know that they are responsible for disposing of their waste – even if they pay a company to get rid of it on their behalf.

"So the onus is on the householder to check that the company they're paying to get rid of their rubbish is disposing of it legally – if not, it could be a lot more expensive than they anticipated as they could be liable for a heavy fine.

"Let's all do our bit, and make sure our rubbish is disposed of properly, and that we keep an eye on our surroundings, so we're doing it for our district, and doing it for Devon."

Where can I get rid of my rubbish?

The nearest recycling centre to Dawlish is the Brunel Road Recycling Centre in Newton Abbot. Click here for more information and opening times.

Alternatively, you can go to the Exton Road Recycling Centre.