MIDDLEWICH'S streets are being used as a dumping ground by fly tippers who have left behind dirty nappies, plastics and all manner of waste.

Leaders of the CW10 residents association were disgusted by the mess they saw at Pochin Way while on a photographic tour of the town.

Andy Bailey and Mike Hunter had planned to take pictures for their website of Middlewich buildings and landmarks but instead, after coming across the mess near to Mid Point 18 Business Park, filled their camera with images of discarded plastic bags, children's toys, household waste and even soiled nappies.

In a joint statement, they said: 'During our travels we came across areas of our town frequently used as a rubbish dump for people's unwanted household and business waste. The area at the end of Pochin Way is a total disgrace and the people who dumped this rubbish should be ashamed for not having respect for our town.

'We identified babies' nappies which we can only assume have been thrown into the hedgerow after being used. There is countless plastic bags containing household waste, discarded children's toys and can only imagine the kind of infestation and vermin living under or close to this area.

'This is just not acceptable and we will ensure every effort is made to remove this rubbish and we will be looking to get the council to erect signs for prosecution and fines for illegal dumping in areas of Middlewich such as Pochin Way.'

Mr Bailey added: 'We went to another area near to the tip and that was covered in rubbish as well. It wouldn't be any further to actually go to the tip and dispose of it properly. This is really not on, it's an absolute disgrace.'

David Dingle, Congleton Borough Council's director of public services, said: 'Our hit squad is going to go down and clean it up.

'If we are notified about sites like this then we will arrange for it to be cleared up.'