Harrogate Borough Council says householders who employ travellers for odd-jobs could be liable for the illegal dumping of any trade waste.

This year has seen unauthorised camps set up at Ripon Race Course as well as sites in Harrogate and Knaresborough and travellers are offering residents services such as tree pruning, block paving and jet washing of drives.

Now the council leader, Mike Gardner has joined police in urging residents not to employ these and other casual labourers. They say not only does it encourage them to stay in, and return to, the area but householders themselves run the risk of being held liable for any flytipping.

Coun Gardner said: "They may be a cheap option but residents should be aware that they are at risk of breaching their householders' waste duty of care requirements.

"These are in place to ensure controlled waste produced on their property is passed to an authorised person and less likely to end up fly-tipped, which is what is happening at the moment at the sites where the travellers have visited.

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"So as well as bringing action against the travellers who fly-tip, any resident found in breach of their duty of care is liable to a fixed £300 penalty fine or, if convicted in the courts, the fine could go up to £5,000."

Mr Gardner warned that many householders do not realise their address details are used when casual labourers buy goods from DIY stores and builders merchants and then illegally fly tip the invoices with the other waste they create - leading investigators to the householder.

The council is urging residents to ensure that anyone they employ is registered for the disposal of trade waste.

Details of licensed waste carriers are available from the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 or on the internet at
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/epr/search.asp