ACTION is being stepped up to clamp down on fly-tipping as bonfire night approaches.

Bradford Council is working with Keighley housing group Incommunities to remove dumped waste from their sites across the district.

Bosses warn that stockpiling items such as old sofas, bed frames, mattresses and other furniture to create a bonfire on public land constitutes fly-tipping, and could result in prosecution.

Additional waste and street cleansing resources are being deployed by the council in hotspot areas, and extra patrols are being staged by neighbourhood and environmental enforcement wardens.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for healthy people and places, says: "Many people are tempted to save or collect unwanted furniture and other household items to build a big bonfire, but this is still fly-tipping if it’s on public land.

"Waste poses a serious risk wherever it is collected so we are doing all we can to ensure that fly-tipped materials are removed, particularly in the run-up to bonfire night.

"Also, we would encourage people who are planning to attend bonfires to go to organised events wherever possible."

Anyone who discovers fly-tipped waste is urged to report it to the council by calling 01274 431000 or online at bradford.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/report-issues/report-fly-tipping