The Environment Agency promises zero tolerance

Preston and Stoke-On-Trent are to share in a �2m grant from the Environment Agency which has yet to decide on a third area to benefit.

The Environment Agency is promising a zero tolerance campaign against illegal dumping backed by police, local authorities and magistrates.

The grant was raised through increases in taxes on landfill waste sites.

'Unscrupulous tippers'

The agency pledges to tackle businesses who flout the law and "unscrupulous tippers" who charge to take rubbish away before dumping it illegally.

The landfill tax revenue is earmarked for the Brew (Business Resource Efficiency and Waste) fund - �2m has been put aside for the campaign.

Environment Agency officers will target businesses with advice and information to help them comply with the law and make them realise they could be held responsible if their rubbish is tipped illegally.

The agency plans nationally to put those who are authorised to tip waste on an online database to make it simpler for the public and businesses to check whether traders are legitimate.