A huge pile of illegally dumped waste has been removed from private land in south Essex following a major clean-up effort.
Thurrock Council's clean and green team carried out the operation after reports of a significant quantity of waste being illegally left at the site.
Although the land is privately owned, officers attended outside normal working hours due to concerns about the impact the fly-tip was having on the surrounding area.
The team worked to remove the waste quickly, helping prevent further environmental damage and restore the area for residents.
A substantial amount of rubbish was cleared from the site and disposed of safely.
The council confirmed an investigation into the incident is ongoing, with evidence collected that could help identify those responsible.
A specialist contractor was also brought in to deal with some of the remaining waste after concerns were raised about its contents.
Councillor Richard Bingley, leader of Thurrock Council, praised the response of the council team.
He said:
"I am incredibly proud of our Clean & Green Team for their outstanding response to such a major fly-tip.
"Although this was on private land, the team still responded outside of normal working hours, which was an exception due to the significant impact on the local area.
"Civic pride and making sure we have a borough that we are all proud to be part of, is at the heart of what we are doing here in Thurrock.
"This clearance shows the pride our teams have in their work and the effort they put into their jobs to make sure our towns are clean and tidy."
Mr Bingley also reiterated the council's commitment to pursuing those responsible for environmental crime.
He added:
"Fly-tipping is a criminal offence that blights communities and places an unnecessary financial burden on public services.
"We are cracking down on everyone involved in such illegal activities as we all have a legal duty when disposing of waste.
"I urge residents to ensure their waste is disposed of responsibly.
"Anyone arranging for rubbish to be removed should always check that the person collecting it is a registered waste carrier."
The council is urging residents to report fly-tipping and dispose of waste responsibly to help keep Thurrock clean and safe.
