FLY-TIPPING offences in an eight month period has cost Newport City Council more than £100,000.

It is estimated that the council spent an eye-watering £139,000 on fly-tipping offences throughout the city from April to December 2016.

During the same period, the council received 2,280 fly-tipping incident reports, which saw its waste team collect 230 tonnes of rubbish.

The cost of dealing with fly-tipping from April 2016 to April 2017 is believed to cost an estimated £185,000, which is based on figures on the national database.

The Argus previously reported of fly-tipping offences at Capel Crescent and St Woolos Cemetery.

The severity of the problem led to the formation of the Pride in Newport project, in July 2016, which aims to combat littering and fly-tipping.

Paul Murphy, chairman of Pride in Pill, said he found the figure "disgusting".

He said: "That is a lot of money which is being spent because people refuse to use bins and skips.

"I think it's disgusting because it is taxpayers' money being spent."

Councillor Ray Truman, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, sustainability and transport, said: "Fly-tipping is still a massive problem across our city and I would urge anyone who witnesses such incidents to report them to the council using our dedicated hotline.

"Evidence gathered through the work of our waste enforcement officers will mean offenders will face court action."

John Griffiths, AM for Newport East, welcomed an announcement on Friday, January 13 for people in Wales to voice their views on fly-tipping.

He said: "I am very pleased to see that there will be a public consultation on fixed penalty notices to combat fly-tipping.

"I hope that the consultation will find a relatively simple, quick and cheap way of dealing with offenders, which would remove existing financial and resource burdens on enforcing authorities and on the Court system.

"I encourage people in my constituency of Newport East and across the city as a whole to get involved and have their say."

To take part in the consultation, visit https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/fixed-penalty-notices-small-scale-fly-tipping

To report fly-tipping offences to Pride in Newport, call 07973 698582.