COMMUNITY leaders say they have been putting up with fly-tippers dumping tonnes of waste near their village for two decades.

But councillors have now offered assurances that problems in Dilhorne are finally on the way to being sorted.

Motorbike parts, fridge freezers and household waste are still being left at the entrance to Tickhill Quarry – 20 years after residents first started complaining.

Families living nearby are now calling on Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to take action to put a stop to the illegal dumping for good.

Norma Massey, chairman of Caverswall Parish Council, said the problem is documented in minutes of council meeting discussions dating back 20 years.

She said: "It is very bad. It's a bit like Beirut. There's mounds of rubble where piles of bricks have been dumped.

"You get household goods, fridges, windows, domestic waste, and all sorts of rubble down there.

"It is a big problem. If people need to get rid of a fridge, they don't take it to the tip now, they just find a country lane."

Residents living nearby say the situation has got worse since recycling centres in the Moorlands began closing on certain days.

People who witness the illegal dumping in Tickhill Lane are now being urged to report incidents.

Businessman Ed Dale lives nearby in Dilhorne.

He said: "I speak to the district council on a regular basis about it. The problem is as bad as it has always been."

And Staffordshire county councillor Bill Day, pictured left, said: "The situation has not altered whatsoever. It is still a mess.

"It looks like Afghanistan after a bomb has gone off. There's still lots of rubbish and it has not been shifted.

"The only thing which may have made it worse is that tips are closing more often and charges have gone up. Maybe that has had an influence."

The district council has previously held discussions about gating off the road leading to the quarry, but issues surrounding ownership of the road have complicated matters. As it is a private road, the council has to resolve legal issues before the problem can be solved once and for all.

Caverswall district councillor Paul Roberts said: "I've seen asbestos, settees, industrial fridges, all sorts of stuff dumped there. It is a really bad place for fly-tipping.

"The district council has been in negotiations with the owner of the quarry to get the entrance gated off.

"He has agreed, but the legal side of things is taking time to sort out.

"I'd call on anyone witnessing any fly-tipping to get in touch with Cheadle police on 0300 123 4455."