A pensioner has hit out at the way countryside near her home has been turned into a dumping ground for "every sort of rubbish imaginable".

Valentine Richardson, who has lived in the same house in Witham for more than 60 years, has reported four burnt-out cars in the area in the past month.

She has also been dismayed to find broken glass, tins, plastic bottles and bags strewn across land near the Terling to Fairstead road.

The 81-year-old said: "This is a lovely piece of countryside which has become a dumping ground for every sort of man-made rubbish imaginable.

"Nobody seems to care anymore. Everyday when I walk my dogs I have to pick up cigarette packets, tins and plastic bags which have been thrown out of car windows.

"Sometimes chicken bones and other stale foods are left there along with bits of broken glass. This causes chaos when my dogs start sniffing round."

Mrs Richardson said only one of the burnt-out cars has been removed by police since being reported.

"It's a difficult situation and I only wish I had a wonderful, foolproof answer because I can't bear to see what they're doing," she added.

"If only we could educate these people that it's a beautiful piece of countryside which they are spoiling for everyone else.

"There has always been a problem with rubbish in the area but never to this extent. Without a shadow of doubt the situation has got much, much worse."

Sgt Jim Shaw, from Witham police, said: "If we are notified of any suspicious activity we always check it out."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.