A dog walker was furious to find rubbish from collapsed retail chain Woolworths dumped at a local beauty spot.

The resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, discovered the damage done by fly-tippers at Little Britain Lake in Cowley last Wednesday.

She said: "I was out walking my dog when I saw the rubbish. There were eight bin bags of rubbish. It's absolutely appalling because someone has been paid to rid of this and they've just dumped it. It was all over the place. They've just fly-tipped it."

The resident told the Gazette how this was the third time in a week that council workers had been called out to dispose of dumped rubbish.

Concerns were also raised on the affect flytipping could have on wildlife.

She added: "It was right where people go to feed the birds and the rubbish was all going into the lake. It's disgusting."

It is believed the rubbish came from a branch outside the borough. Nobody from Woolworths, which is in administration, was available for comment.

Kathy Sparks, deputy director of environment and consumer protection at Hillingdon

Council, said that fly-tipping was an arrestable offence which carries up to a £50,000 fine and six months in prison at a magistrates'court. In a crown court, fines may be unlimited and imprisonment extended up to five years.

She added: "The council takes all envirocrimes such as fly-tipping very seriously and investigates all incidents reported. We encourage anyone who witnesses people illegally dumping waste to the council's customer contact centre."

*To report fly-tipping call 01895 556 000, email eet@hillingdon.gov.uk  or visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/streetscene