RESIDENTS have been urged to help the authorities put an end to a village being used as a dumping ground.

Our Muirkirk resident, Jim Currie, highlighted the issue to readers as a pile of dumped tyres was growing at a site just off Furnace Road.

Further investigations revealed that, since they started appearing around four weeks ago, an attempt has been made to set them alight.

The fire-raisers failed, although some of the tyres stuck to the ground, having melted, while others disintegrated.

Mr Currie said: “I have had a look at the tyres and some of them look quite new, which means they could be coming from a garage which is removing them, from cars while they are still legal.

“But the community is getting fed up with the things people are just dumping. It is a particular problem in Muirkirk which is getting used for all kinds of things.

“I would urge anyone who sees the tyres, or any other items, being dumped, to report them right away.”

Illegal disposal of tyres is sometimes carried out by unscrupulous companies who charge garages a fee — but simply dump them .

Councillor Neil McGhee added: “If residents have any opportunity at all of reporting anyone guilty of dumping, they must let the police know and allow them to deal with it.

“Piles of tyres are too dangerous to leave lying and if there is a hint of danger, people need to act. I will be letting the council’s environmental team know about the Muirkirk problem.”