THURROCK Council's environment team are investigating a flytipping incident alongside a burnt out transit van on a rural borough road which is gaining notoriety for illegal dumping activity.

The van has been abandoned alongside dumped bags of household waste and detritus at the junction of Butts Lane, Mucking Wharf Road and Waltons Hall Road near Stanford-le-Hope.

Butts Lane and Waltons Hall Road have recently become chosen dumping grounds for flytippers, prompting a call for more action by the council.

East Tilbury ward independent councillor Fraser Massey says the increase in flytipping in the area is concerning and he has previously bemoaned a lack of pro-active action by the council.

He has made repeated calls for a significant litter pick and clean up of the road and its hedgerows.

However, after the latest spate of dumping, he says officers have recognised the problem and have assured councillors and residents investigations into recovered material will be stepped up.

A statement from Essex Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called to a vehicle fire in Butts Lane on Monday at 10.31pm.

"A crew from Orsett extinguished the fire and left the scene at 11.16pm.

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"The cause has been recorded as deliberate."