A private landlord has been slapped with a £400 fine for allowing a tenant’s waste to be fly-tipped on the site or a rural trail in east Devon.

The £400 fixed penalty notice, reduced to £200 after being paid within 10 days, was given for the landlord’s lack of care after a mess was left by one of the landlord’s tenants.

The un-named landlord was then unable to demonstrate they had used a licenced waste carrier to dispose of it.

East Devon council is investigating the unlicensed waste carrier and says further enforcement may occur.

A council spokesperson says: “This is a good reminder to residents and landlords that their responsibility for their waste doesn’t end when they pay someone to take it away.

“It is so frustrating, that with so many wonderful volunteers spending their spare time picking up rubbish and litter in our beautiful countryside and on our beaches that some people think they can get away with fly tipping.

“I can assure you, we will always prosecute, if we can identify the person responsible, and to those great volunteers thank you.”