STAFF at a controversial Bournemouth tip say they are living in fear of reprisals following a council clampdown on dumping rules.

Temperatures at Millhams tip have been running high since Bournemouth council brought in new restrictions this month allowing only ID-carrying Bournemouth residents into the facility in a bid to reduce the amount of rubbish.

They have also put a stop to vans being allowed access to the site, with council officials claiming many drivers use their vans to dump commercial waste for free.

Since the changes came in at the end of last month staff working for contractors W&S Recycling have to stand at the entrance of the tip and ask to see ID before vehicles can gain entry.

It has led to staff receiving threats of violence from unhappy visitors, it has been claimed.

The restrictions came into force on August 31 and have left many residents in the area angry.

The council confirmed that staff at the tip had faced problems with angry customers.

Roy Osborough, waste manager for Bournemouth borough council, said: "Security at the Millhams civic amenity site is the responsibility of our contractors, Weymouth and Sherborne Recycling, as is the health, safety and well-being of their staff."

The council was concerned to learn staff were on the receiving end of threats but was confident of the contractor's ability to deal with the situation, he added.