LAZY gardeners are being blamed for a spate of fly-tipping which has hit the town over the last few weeks.

Droitwich Spa's new deputy mayor, Councillor John Cook, has hit out at the lazy gardeners, who have been dumping their waste rather than take it to the tip.

He believes that the recent hot weather and the lack of a green waste collection service in the town has sparked the problem.

"With the weather recently being sunny and hot, people are more likely to go out and do the gardening. It has meant that there is a lot more rubbish on people's hands for them to deal with," he said.

"It seems that too many gardeners in Droitwich, especially in the Chawson area of the town, have been too lazy and decided to dump their rubbish rather than dispose of it in the right way.

"A lot of people have mentioned it to me now and are getting more and more fed up with the sight of garden waste dumped near to where they live and walk.

"It has also been noticed by a lot of people in the Colford Walk area," added Cllr Cook.

It is thought that people have taken advantage of the recent weather to do the gardening, but have not taken the time to dispose of the waste properly.

A spokesman for Wychavon District Council said: "We would urge residents not to dump their garden waste and really want to encourage them to compost it instead. There are a number options available of how to dispose of green waste rather than fly-tipping.

"People can contact our waste and recycling hotline on 01386 565018 and get information about where to take rubbish or how to get a compost bin."