The Environment Agency Wales has launched a crackdown on fly-tippers with two vehicles seized by the police being scrapped.

The agency admits fly-tipping has become a serious problem over the last few years, with household, commercial and building waste left dumped in streets, parks and lanes.

An undercover surveillance operation in Cardiff resulted in the seizure of the vans, which were crushed in an operation at Ogmore Vale on Friday.

The vehicles were identified during a lengthy monitoring operation at a fly-tipping blackspot in the Canton area of the city.

Agency officials were unable to discover who owned or ran the vehicles.

This led to court action to apply for a seizure warrant, which allowed the police to hold on to the vehicles on agency's behalf.

An Environment Agency Wales spokesperson said: "Illegal operators should take note that the Agency will vigorously pursue prosecution and other actions when informed of illegal waste activities that deface local areas and threaten public health as well as causing pollution of the environment."

One reason for increased fly-tipping by commercial operators has been higher charges at landfill sites.

Country lanes and Forestry Commission land have been blighted by illegal tipping of building materials and other waste.