Hounslow's new leisure chiefs have been forced to apologise for using Cranford's Avenue Park as a dumping ground after horrified residents found piles of junk scattered around the old toilet block.

Residents contacted us through the site after finding dozens of bin bags, alongside grass cuttings and old manuals from deposed leisurecontractors CIP.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "This is totally illegal and morally repugnant from those who are supposed to be looking after the park.

"Since the illegal dumping took place, heroin users have been using the site and leaving needles lying around."

John Laing, which assumed responsibility for the borough's parks on July 1, admitted storing the offending waste in the park after a big clean-up.

However, a spokeswoman for the company, which cleared the mess on Friday last week, insisted the move had only been a temporary measure after they collected 'unprecedented levels of rubbish'.

"We are committed to providing clean, green open spaces in Hounslow for all to enjoy and to securing an improvement in the quality and standard of the boroughs parks and open spaces," she said.