FEW sights are more discomforting on the eye than that of discarded household rubbish.

Nobody wants to see country lanes, lay-bys and gateways blocked with old sofas, washing machines and fridge-freezers.

Food waste is an obvious health hazard if not disposed of correctly, while leftover materials from DIY products can be highly dangerous.

Home improvement projects can lead to the discovery of asbestos, a heat-resistant mineral which was once commonly used on the roofs of houses, farm buildings and commercial premises.

When materials which contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air which, when inhaled, can cause cancer.

Such is the danger of asbestos, it requires specialist removal in accordance with national regulations.

Northumberland County Council revealed last week that it has dealt with 24 cases of illegal asbestos fly-tipping over the past nine months – double the figure of the previous year – which has racked up a bill of over £10,000.

The county council is targeting scrap dealers who illegally collect asbestos, and is urging residents to report any suspicious activity.

Cabinet member for local services Coun. Ian Swithenbank said: “Residents and businesses are usually exceptionally careful and are aware of the dangers of asbestos which can cause serious harm to people who are exposed to it.

“If they are carrying out DIY projects and come across hazardous asbestos waste, they should ensure that it is taken away by a registered carrier and get a receipt for it.

“If not, they run the real risk of being prosecuted if any dumped waste is traced back to them.”

The county council’s tough stance on asbestos is to be commended.

However, the local authority came in for criticism last year when it announced it would be reducing the opening days of waste disposal centres at Haltwhistle, Allendale, and Kirkley West Thorne, near Ponteland, from seven days a week to just four.

The cash-strapped authority’s cost-cutting measure was met with concern by local councillors, who feared the move would increase fly-tipping on private land, with farmers and landowners left to clear up the mess and pay for its disposal.

County councillor for Allendale, Coun. Colin Horncastle, believes the open day changes, which have now been implemented, have not helped to combat the fly-tipping problem.

He said: “I haven’t been inundated with reports of fly-tipping, but I have had some over the past few months.

“I still believe reducing the opening hours of household disposal centres leads to problems.

“People will fill up their car or van and drive to the centre without checking the opening hours.

“While most people would take it back home, there are a minority of people who are anti-social and who will dump it somewhere.

“The disposal centres in this area are widely used by people across our rural communities.

“Instead of reducing the services here from seven days a week to four, the county council could have implemented a one-day reduction on all waste centres across the county.

“Aside from the fly-tipping issue, the four-day opening is restrictive for well-meaning residents who are doing work at home and have things to dispose of.”

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said fly-tipping was costing rural businesses an average of £800 per incident.

A CLA spokesman said: “Landowners are liable for any waste that is fly-tipped on their land and can be prosecuted if they do not clear it away, often at considerable cost to their business.”

For more information on how to dismantle items correctly, and a list of licensed operators, visit the Health and Safety Executive’s website at www.hse.gov.uk or contact Northumberland County Council.