Farmer receives £40,000 to remove fly-tipped waste

An online fundraiser has helped a farmer pay the £40,000 fee to remove toxic waste from his land after it was dumped there by fly-tippers.

The anonymous farmer, in his 80s, was left with 200 tonnes of rubbish on his Hertfordshire field last summer and could not afford to clear it.

The Environment Agency said while it does everything possible to ensure that those who dump waste pay to remove it, it becomes the landowner's responsibility if that was not possible.

Within days the fundraiser surpassed its target of £45,000, with the farmer planning to distribute the extra money to others facing similar issues.

The Environment Agency is not legally responsible or funded for clearing waste, although it can act in exceptional circumstances, such as when there is a risk of fire.

Archie Ford, who set up the fundraiser, said all the money raised would be given to the farmer with the exception of a 2.9% fee collected by the donation website.

He added he would give the farmer any money that continued to be raised until 18 March, which was the earliest date he could close the online fundraiser.

In a message to donors, Ford wrote: "This could not have been achieved without your help and support.

"Thank you so much again, your generosity has been truly inspiring."

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