There are concerns that the council fund set aside for unexpected costs now sits at just £381,000.

Complaints about rats and rubbish dumped around Bootle, Merseyside, have led to a council investigation.

A charity boss says people are also "rifling through" bags of clothes and toys left outside shops.

Wiltshire Council said four businesses were issued with £300 fines for the offence.

Litter pickers say the situation is depressing as the cost of removing dumped rubbish nears £2m.

The drone will be used to flag fly-tipping hotspots and provide evidence for prosecutions.

One woman says she had fish heads "chucked" in her yard due to overflowing bins outside her home.

Josiah Jones says he has been quoted £3,000 for the removal of the largest fly-tipping load.