POLICE have warned Cheshire residents not to spoil the Cheshire countryside by fly-tipping.

The Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team has highlighted an incident of fly-tipping which took place near the Tattenhall area.

Police say the contents of the material dumped appeared to be equipment used for cultivating cannabis. Officers add the contents are harmful to the dairy cattle that graze the land and will now have to be removed at the cost of the local farmer.

Posting on social media, PC Ashley Tether from the rural crime team said: "Two things in common, both cultivating cannabis and fly-tipping are a crime. Those who choose to commit both offences will be dealt with robustly by Cheshire Police.

"We are also currently working closely with Cheshire West and Chester Council to target and prosecute those that choose to ruin our shared countryside .

"Remember please use a legitimate waste provider; if the price is too good to be true for removal of waste then it could end up in our countryside.

"Also, it’s your responsibility to ensure that you are using a legitimate waste provider. If your waste is found to be dumped, and not in an approved waste disposal facility, we’ll be coming to your door!"