FLYTIPPERS are being warned against using a "dumping hotspot" in Abbeyview.

Items such as mattresses and fridges have recently been left at the recycling facility in Allan Crescent while waste has also been set on fire.

One local resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said it was a "pretty unsightly" mess.

"The bins are not emptied often enough – they are right up to the top," he told the Press. "It is a pretty unsightly mess. I know it is the same sort of thing everywhere else. It is everything – bags full of rubbish, a fridge, mattresses, kids' toys, it is just a general dumping ground.

"I don't know if they could put in a skip there for people to put their rubbish in.

"A note appeared a little while ago saying there is CCTV surveillance but I don't see it. That could be a deterrent. It has been going on for as long as the recycling bins have been there."

Local councillor James Calder said a constituent had told him about three recent fires at the facility and called for CCTV to be put in place.

“For residents who live near to the recycling facilities these fires must be distressing, but what is ludicrous is that the CCTV has not been operational in Abbeyview for some time," he said.

“I know there are plans to reinstate it but this needs to be escalated.

"I have heard of three fires already in addition to a minority flytipping in the area. Working CCTV would both serve to deter these kind of antisocial activities as well as help detect the culprits. I hope the Council will work on dealing with this soon.”

Fife Council Lead Officer Lisa Taylor bins at the sire were emptied frequently but there was a "persistent problem" with illegal dumping of items that are not suitable for the recycling bins.

"There's no excuse for fly-tipping and no-one wants to see loads of rubbish dumped outside because people can’t be bothered to recycle it properly," she said.

“We have mobile CCTV equipment that will be moved to the site in the near future and I’d urge people to report it if they see anyone dumping rubbish so we can investigate.

"This area is unfortunately a 'dumping hotspot' and we'll always act where evidence is found but we greatly rely on information from the public to help with this.

“Anyone dumping waste illegally can be issued a fixed penalty notice of £200. Major offenders may be referred directly to the Procurator Fiscal and could incur fines of up to £40,000.”

Fly-tipping can be reported online by filling out the form at www.fifedirect.org.uk/flytipping or by calling 03451 55 00 22.