FLY-TIPPERS who dumped more than 30 bags of poisonous paint-dye on the banks of a Bolton fishing lodge are being hunted by environmental officers.

Members of Bolton and District Anglers Association were horrified after being told by the Environment Agency that the waste had been discovered on the banks of Gleaves Reservoir, in Dunscar, which is owned by the group.

One of the agency's officers spent a day at the scene investigating the waste, which was dumped along with part of a wooden pallet on which it is believed to have been transported. The dye, which is in different colours, is potentially poisonous to humans. There were fears that it could pollute the water of the reservoir and in turn Eagley Brook, as well as killing wildlife in the area.

But because the land is controlled by the anglers' association, they have been told that it is their responsibility to pay for the analysis and removal of the chemical. Club chairman Dennnis Eckershall said he wanted to see those responsible brought to justice.

He said: "To have it moved could cost a fortune. We're always having to deal with fly-tippers' waste. The people who have done this need to be found and prosecuted."

Secretary of the club Terry McKee added that the clean up could take several days, and that members of the group were worried that children may play around the chemical or even worse, dump it in the water. They plan to cover the bags with a waterproof tarpaulin sheet which will be secured to the ground to stop the dye getting into the water.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "It is up to the landowner to clear the site and that is something we understand they are attending to. We are investigating where it came from and what action we can take."

Cllr Roger Hayes, executive member for direct services, said: "Unfortunately these people have so far got away with dumping their rubbish and it is the tax payers and the land owners who suffer the consequences."