A WARNING that the "scourge of the countryside" could get worse due to new environmental rules has gone out from the body which represents rural landowners in North and East Yorkshire.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) says rural fly tipping may increase, following a ruling from the European Commission which affects the disposal of old refrigerators.

"A crisis is looming and it is very worrying," said CLA regional director Dorothy Fairburn.

"The Commission has said that all ozone-depleting substances in household fridges - these are the chemicals which contribute to global warming - must be removed for safe disposal from January 1," she said.

"But the worry is that there are no disposal facilities in Britian for the CFC gases contained within the insulation.

"The redesignation of fridges as 'hazardous waste' from January 1 means that major retailers will no longer take back old ones when they deliver new fridges.

"The worry is that many local authorities already charge up to £15 to remove an old fridge, and from next year they may have to pay up to £40 to dispose of each fridge when recycling technology is available.

"It looks as if fly tippers, who already worry farmers and landowners, may be tempted to dump unwanted fridges in the countryside."

Miss Fairburn said fly tipping already ranged from individuals dumping household waste on grass verges to large-scale operations and serious cases of hazardous waste.

"Fly tipping is a menace and the scourge of the countryside. Once rubbish has been dumped on a particular piece of ground the tendency is for much more to follow, so that it very quickly becomes an eyesore."

She added: "Those who live in the countryside need to be extra vigilant, particularly in the hours of darkness. The Environment Agency relies on the public to report fly tippers and they need as much help as they can to secure a prosecution.

"The registration number of a car or van, make or colour, a description of the person, the date, time, and nature of what is being tipped, are invaluable."

Miss Fairburn said photographic evidence was really conclusive - but she also advised people not to approach those they suspected of illegally dumping, adding some fly tippers might be making a living out of the activity and could be dangerous.

Updated: 11:40 Wednesday, December 05, 2001