Council workers have cleared 34 tonnes of rubbish in a two-day clean up of a suburb blighted by mass fly-tipping.

The problem in Crosby, on the outskirts of Scunthorpe, had become so bad that the local Tory MP spoke out to slam the 'reckless behaviour' of fly-tippers 'ruining our area.'

The major clearing operation removed all rubbish mainly from alleyways – known locally as tenfoots - that had become ugly dumping grounds.

They collected eight tonnes of 'bulky items' including 60 mattresses, 25 sofas and 40 items of white goods.

Nine tonnes of 'smaller items' such as carpets, tables, wardrobes and rubble. There was 12 tonnes of general waste and five tonnes of swept up rubbish such as litter and glass.

BEFORE: The major clearing operation removed all rubbish mainly from alleyways – known locally as tenfoots - that had become ugly dumping grounds

BEFORE: Council workers collected eight tonnes of 'bulky items' including 60 mattresses, 25 sofas and 40 items of white goods

North-East Lincolnshire Council pulled in staff from several departments and it took 196 working hours over two-days to clear Crosby's rubbish-strewn streets.

CCTV is now being installed in a bid to catch the dumpers in action and stop other anti-social behaviour to prevent the blight returning.

Environmental Health officers have also collected evidence from the clear up that may be used to prosecute fly-tippers responsible.

Councillor Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: 'Residents have told us of their concern over rubbish in the tenfoots and I am pleased we have been able to address these concerns.

'It is only a minority of people who insist on making such a disgusting mess and sadly some of these are the residents themselves.

'This massive clean-up will benefit the rest of the community who have to suffer other people's selfishness.

'It also means we can now start tackling the dumpers in earnest. Anyone who has been blighting our streets with rubbish can expect a knock on the door or a fine in the post.

AFTER: Environmental Health officers have collected evidence from the clear up that may be used to prosecute fly-tippers responsible

'We are also considering introducing a Selective Licensing scheme in this area which will target poor landlords and poor tenants.'

Fines for littering are £200, reduced to £100 if paid within 14 days, with a maximum of £2,500.

Fly-tippers can be fined £1,000, reduced to £700 if paid within 14 days, with an unlimited maximum and also a risk of imprisonment.

In January Scunthorpe's Tory MP Holly Mumby-Croft wrote a blog stating that the problem in Crosby was being caused by the 'reckless behaviour of some individuals.'

AFTER: CCTV is now being installed in a bid to catch the dumpers in action and stop other anti-social behaviour to prevent the blight returning

She added: 'Remember, this is everyone's problem. Where practical, talk to your neighbours, educate them about the impacts of fly-tipping, and encourage them to dispose of their waste appropriately. 

'Quite frankly, I am sick to the back teeth of individuals ruining our area and costing us as council taxpayers to clean up their mess and I know many locally feel the same. Together, we can make a difference.'