FLYTIPPERS have dumped rubbish only a short drive away from a household-recycling centre.

Purton resident Jacqui Lay discovered the mattresses, carpets and a bed in Collins Lane, a back road between Purton and Swindon.

The site is three miles from the Purton Household Waste Recycling Centre in Mopes Lane.

Ms Lay, who regularly inspects Purton roads for rubbish as part of a campaign organised by North Wiltshire District Council, said: "It is beyond belief that somebody could dump rubbish on the side of the road so close to a recycling centre.

"The irony is they must have used a van to transport the stuff here anyway so I can't see any reason for not carrying it those extra three miles to the centre."

The centre, which opened last year, would have taken the goods without charge.

Recycling manager Tim Miller said: "It's very sad that some people cannot make the extra effort to dispose of their waste properly.

"I really don't think there can be any excuse because, even if we cannot recycle something, we can dispose of it properly through land-fill."

Flytippers are liable for prosecution and can be imprisoned or fined up to £20,000.

But Ms Lay thinks the culprits have escaped punishment this time.

Police are not investigat-ing the matter but Ms Lay hopes reading this article will be enough to shame the perpetrators and perhaps deter them from dumping rubbish again.

She said: "The carpet was brown with dark flecks and the new cut-offs were a lovely green colour.

"The people responsible will certainly know who they are."

Purton Recycling Centre is open for seven days a week between 9am and 4pm.

For more information about its service telephone (01672) 516111.