More people have been fined for dumping litter after council workers traced the culprits by rifling through bin bags.

Last year Braintree Council revealed it was waging war against illegal dumping by searching through dumped bags to find clues to the identity of the dumpers, and then prosecuting them.

This may be a name or an address on a letter that leads council workers to the culprits.

Four people had been prosecuted then, and six more have been since, receiving fines of up to £350 each. And there are more cases pending.

Colin Batchelor,principal environmental health officer at the council, said: "Fly-tipping is a major problem in whatever form it takes.

"We shall endeavour to pursue people through to the courts if we possibly can."

Published Wednesday, February 20, 2002