SPECIAL undercover surveillance is being organised around reservoirs north of Bolton to try and stop organised gangs dumping tyres.

Tyre mountains are growing on various sites around Rivington reservoirs. In just a few months nearly 1,000 have had to be carted away.

Staff at North West Water say the dumping is now "a massive problem" and believe it is being carried out by organised gangs. Staff are now launching their own operation to catch the culprits who are fly-tipping illegally, causing eyesores and environmental havoc.

North West Water team leader Phil Luff said: "We have had problems in the past with illegal fly-tipping and on occasions that has involved old tyres.

"However, the scale of what has been going on recently is unprecedented. "On one recent occasion, hundreds of tyres blocked the popular car park at Anglezarke.

"The tyres are being dumped in large quantities and have become a regular blot on the landscape.

"We already have some leads as to who is responsible but in order to stamp out this problem once and for all we are taking a range of actions which involve the setting up of special patrols around the Rivington area."

North West Water staff will be joined by local park wardens and teams will be organised for special surveillance which will take place particularly during the evening and late at night.

Phil added: "We are making a determined effort to stop this problem now.

"Not only are the tyres an environmental eyesore but they also serve to encourage others to fly-tip and the knock-on effect can be immense.

"We are appealing to local people, particularly the walkers around the Rivington reservoirs, to keep an eye open. If they see anyone acting suspiciously, particularly unloading wagons or lorries in secluded areas to take details where possible and contact us immediately on 691549 or 996118 or notify the police.

"Lever Park and the area around it is very attractive with an abundance of wildlife. We want to maintain it that way and that is why we need to stop this dumping and stop it now."

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