FLY-tippers have dumped builders' waste near the junction of a busy Wirral street.

Bags of rubble, bricks and fences were among tonnes of rubbish discovered on Whetstone Lane at its junction with Borough Road this week.

Pictures of the rubbish were sent to the Globe by Birkenhead resident Bill McGenity, who is standing as a Labour candidate in May's local elections.

He said: "It's an absolute disgrace that people are dumping rubbish like this wherever they want. It really is making parts of the town look like a dump.

"The problem is that many people can't afford to offload at tips, so are forced to tip wherever they can find. This needs to change."

The authority recently said it was using "all powers necessary" to tackle the problem, adding that it had issued 25 fixed penalty notices to individuals for fly tipping across Wirral between April and November last year.

Householders failing to pass their waste to a licensed carrier, and whose waste is found fly-tipped, could face penalties of up to £400.

Cllr Anita Leech, Wirral cabinet member for environment, said recently: "Wirral Council categorically do not tolerate environmental crime of any kind.

"It is crystal clear that the council can and will use all powers necessary to bring criminals who commit environmental crimes to justice, reinforcing our commitment to improving the local environment.

"If Wirral residents are getting rid of any waste, be that garden waste, old household items such as a sofa, mattress or washing machine or just extra bags of rubbish, they have a legal duty to check that the company they are using is a registered waste carrier.

"Unlicensed waste carriers are more likely to cut corners and fly tip, which is why they can offer lower prices, unfairly undercutting legitimate businesses who take their environmental responsibilities seriously.

"Not only are they avoiding their responsibility and charges for the proper disposal of waste, but by fly-tipping waste they are leaving an unsightly mess for residents and causing additional costs to the public purse or private landowners who have to clear up after them."

Mr McGenity has organised two community spring clean-ups to help tackle the fly-tipping in Birkenhead.

The first, in Charing Cross, will be held on Friday, February 22 from 10am. People will be able to put their rubbish in skips. Meet at Cook Street car park.

The second will take place in nearby Harrowby Street on February 25 at 10am.