A HUGE pile of tyres have been flytipped on a nature reserve.

The mound of about 100 tyres appeared near the scout hut on Two Tree Island, near Leigh, appeared over the weekend.

Thankfully the council took swift action to remove them from the beauty spot, run by Essex Wildlife Trust.

A resident who came across the flytipping slammed those responsible.

She said: “It’s disgusting that this has happened.

“I don’t understand why the council doesn’t put CCTV on the road by the station.

“There’s only one road on and off the island and they’d easily get the fly toppers then.”

Councillor Tony Cox, executive councillor for transport, waste and regulatory services, said: “Unfortunately a vast number of tyres were mindlessly dumped on Two Tree Island at the end of last week.

“They were roped off and due to the weight limitations on the bridge, had to be removed gradually by our waste contractor Veolia.

“This work was completed earlier today.

“Incidents like this cost taxpayers up to £2m a year, and so we will be investigating and would urge anyone with any information or evidence about this incident to call us directly on 01702 215006.”

Sadly this is not the first time the nature reserve has been hit by flytipping.

In February last year, visitors to the popular reserve were outraged after a large mound of rubbish, including plastic poles and tubing, were fly tipped at teh far end of a road near a car park where boats are launched.

In 2015, a pile of rubbish dumped at the reserve was set on fire.

The flytipped waste, which was about 6ft across, included beer bottles and a chair.

Residents are able to take DIY waste to the town’s household waste recycling centres, but the amount is limited to one car boot per car. Some residents believe this policy is making fly tipping worse.

The Essex Wildlife Trust did not respond to a request for comment before the Echo went to press.