CCTV cameras are to be installed at an Otley wildlife area to combat fly-tipping.

Town Councillors unanimously backed the measure after hearing a report this week about illegal rubbish dumping at Gallows Hill.

The Environment and Sustainability Committee agreed on Monday, April 23 that hidden cameras should be set up at the riverside nature area to deter tipping and littering.

The issue was highlighted by residents - and reported in this newspaper - in early 2017.

Town Council Chair Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield), however, believes the problems have worsened since new charges were introduced at local tips.

He said: "Fly-tipping is illegal, anti-social, bad for the environment and wildlife and costs the town council money to remove.

"I am dismayed that incidents at Gallows Hill have risen since Leeds City Council introduced the charges* for tipping of certain building and DIY materials, and I continue to maintain that these charges are mistaken and counter-productive.

"I hope our action will act as a deterrent and that residents using Gallows Hill will also be vigilant and report any unusual activity that may be related to fly-tipping.

"Our message to the waste criminals is clear - be under no illusion, if we catch and identify you, we will prosecute."

He added: "Despite the mistaken charges imposed by Leeds, you are required to dispose legally of builders and DIY wastes - and for residents using waste clearance services and builders for jobs, you should make an effort to ensure that anybody you use shows you their Waste Carriers License that indicates they are likely to comply with the law.

"Waste crime costs the nation many millions in clean-up costs and avoided Landfill Tax, and blights our countryside and towns.

"We must tackle it and the town council certainly intends to do this on our own nature area that we have invested heavily in for the benefit of our community and its wildlife."

The council now plans to run an awareness raising campaign before the cameras are installed - which could be before the end of May.

Signs will also go up - a legal requirement - to let visitors to Gallows Hill know there are cameras in operation.

*Leeds City Council introduced charges for 'inert waste' including soil and rubble, plasterboard and tyres, in February.

In a letter to ward residents the authority outlined the benefits of the scheme, which include cost savings of about £240,000 a year.

Pointing out that similar charges had already been brought in by neighbouring authorities, it says that 'the available evidence and our benchmarking with other authorities has not identified that such schemes result in increases in fly-tipping."