Adam GrettonFamilies have been urged to be on their guard against rogue doorstep waste collectors as councils try to crack down on fly-tipping, which costs the county nearly �600,000 a year to clear up.Adam Gretton

Families have been urged to be on their guard against rogue doorstep waste collectors as councils try to crack down on fly-tipping, which costs the county nearly �600,000 a year to clear up.

Local authorities are warning residents that they could face prosecution if they allow unwanted old fridges, freezers, televisions, and sofas to be collected by unregistered tradesmen, which are subsequently not properly disposed of.

The alert comes as councils in Norfolk respond to more than 11,000 fly-tipping incidents a year, which costs the taxpayer nearly �600,000 to clear up.

Council officials have warned that people could face a �50,000 fine if they paid someone to take away and dump their rubbish in the countryside.

South Norfolk Council, which received almost 800 fly-tip reports last year, urged residents to 'shut the door' on unlicensed waste collectors after being contacted by targeted householders.

David Bills, cabinet member for the environment, said people needed to challenge the credentials of doorstep collectors before using their services.

Officials at Broadland District Council, which spent �65,000 on clearing up fly-tipping in 2008/09, said that 50pc of prosecutions were against people who had irresponsibly passed waste to others without asking the right questions.

Is fly-tipping a problem in your area? Send your pictures to newsdesk@archant.co.uk or call Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 and we'll investigate the problem.

Contact the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk to check a collector is registered.