A Dagenham pharmacy has been fined for fly-tipping after its details were found in the dumped rubbish.

The heap of up to 20 black bin bags were spotted by a passer-by, who reported the offence to Barking and Dagenham Council.

Enforcement officers visited the scene and at first found household and garden waste in the bags.

But on closer inspection, they discovered business details and an address for a local pharmacy.

The business was issued with a £400 fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping under the Environmental Protection Act.

According to the council, it was also advised to make sure its bins are suitable for the amount of waste they produce.

Cabinet member for enforcement and community safety Cllr Syed Ghani said: "It beggars' belief that people think fly-tipping is something they can casually do, as if it is socially acceptable and it has no impact on other people.

"The truth is, it's a crime and a plague on our communities.

"It costs taxpayers money and looks unsightly for the thousands of residents who aren't selfish enough to throw rubbish into the street.

"This is another brilliant example of our report-it system working as it should: a fly-tip reported, our team quickly out to investigate, and the perpetrators quickly found.

"We urge all residents to report all fly-tipping they see to us."

Visit https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/pests-pollution-noise-and-food/street-cleaning-issues/report-fly-tipping to report fly-tipping.