HELENSBURGH locals have voiced their dismay at rubbish that has been dumped next to the town's recycling centre and waste disposal site.

Mounds of abandoned items including flat screen TVs, batteries, gas cylinders and other household items have been reportedly dumped on land close to the centre, with reports that the rubbish has been lying there for some time.

Local resident Alan Murray, who walked past the site and took photos of the leftover garbage, told the Advertiser: “The mess has been there for some time

"It’s a disgrace that it’s been reported previously, and Argyll & Bute Council has failed to act.

“The recycling centre is not secure.

“It appears to have been there for quite some time, as some of the TVs are well hidden in the rough grass and bushes.”

Helensburgh residents took to Facebook to criticise the mess shown in the photos.

One said: “Disgraceful. What is it going to cost to clear it?”

Another said: “It’s been like that for years.”

A third claimed: “I'm not sure about the ‘general rubbish’ but the flat screen TVs have been there for a very long time - as in months and months and months. No idea why.”

One poster said: “The TVs have been laid like steps to cross the boggy ground. Lots of the stuff appears to have been liberated from the skips.”

An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said: “We are committed to ensuring public spaces in Argyll and Bute are maintained to a high standard and ask that any fly-tipping is reported to us.

"The fixed penalty notice for fly tipping is £200. If it is not paid, prosecution could result in a fine of up to £40,000. We would ask anyone who has a concern about fly tipping to let us know either by reporting it online at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk or by calling 01546 605514.

“Arrangements made to clear the area using the Community Payback Scheme this year were halted because of covid-19 restrictions. We have made a start clearing the area, which takes our workers away from vital frontline services. This is the effect of inconsiderate flytippers.”