A FLY-tipper dumped 12 fridges in a scenic country lane near Dorchester.

The collection of fridges and freezers was pitched from a vehicle a month after 14 were dumped in the same place.

West Dorset District Council services manager Ian Doyle vowed to prosecute the culprit and has launched an investigation into the incident at Cuckoo Lane near Higher Bockhampton.

He said: “This is one of the worst examples of fly-tipping that I’ve seen in West Dorset. We will definitely prosecute this one if we find out who did it.”

The fridges and freezers have been collected for proper disposal including removing the coolant gas and dealing with the electrical components. The cost will be borne by district council taxpayers.

Mr Doyle said: “I am just as frustrated as the average taxpayer – being one myself. It’s very annoying to see my money having to be spent in this way.”

He said the haul was collected urgently because of the risk if a child or wildlife became trapped in the freezers.

Mr Doyle is urging anyone who noticed anything suspicious at the site on the night of Good Friday to contact the police and the enforcement officer at the district council on 01305 251010. People can give information in confidence.

Andrew Thomson reported the fly-tipping after people living nearby spotted the fridges on Saturday morning. Mr Thomson, a member of Stinsford Parish Council and the local committee of the Campaign to Protect Rural England which is running a major anti-litter campaign, said he was dismayed to see the rubbish just weeks after the first lot was dumped.

He said: “I love the countryside and I feel sad about this. I contacted the parish council clerk to ask her to inform the district council – and that’s just four weeks after the first time.”

Mr Thomson, of The Old Manor, Kingston Maurward, added: “It’s a quiet and isolated spot near the A35 but with nobody living close by.

“Whoever did it could take a van full of these things there and offload them in the middle of the night.

“It makes you wonder whether it will happen again in a few weeks’ time.”

Mr Doyle said he believed the culprit has probably advertised to dispose of people’s unwanted fridges and freezers.

He said: “People probably pay him thinking he will dispose of them properly but he takes their money and dumps them.”