A MAN was caught on camera dumping oil drums and other waste at a "notorious fly-tipping hotspot" in Notts, a court heard.

Simon Mark Johnson, 33, was recorded on hidden cameras dropping the drums and vehicle bumper bars and batteries in Eakring Road, Mansfield.

It followed a joint operation by Mansfield District Council and the Environment Agency to crackdown on the dumping of hazardous waste at the beauty spot.

Johnson, of Selwyn Street, Mansfield, pleaded guilty at Mansfield Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to dumping the waste on October 22 last year.

Prosecuting, Romilly Edge told the court that Eakring Road had become a "notorious flytipping hotspot" over the past few years.

To combat this, the Environment Agency and the council embarked on 'Operation Maid Marion' and installed covert cameras at the location to catch anyone illegally dumping waste.

Johnson was caught driving into Eakring Road where he removed the waste from his vehicle and left it on the ground before driving away.

He was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £500 towards the Environment Agency's costs.

Speaking after the case, Environment Agent investigating officer Robert Browning said: "There is no excuse for leaving potentially hazardous items of waste in a place where they could be a danger to the environment or human health.

"We will not tolerate such irresponsible behaviour and will not hesitate to take action against offenders. Our operations are continuing throughout the area."