A RUGBY club is struggling to find the funds to clear rubbish and building materials fly-tipped by “lazy and irresponsible” people.

Newport High School Old Boys RFC committee member Kath Diggle said the Caerleon-based club is dealing with an increasing problem over people using it as a tip, with four skip loads of rubbish already removed.

Fly-tippers are dumping building materials on the site instead of paying to use council waste sites.

Mrs Diggle, 59, said: “It’s all private property. We’ve tried locking the gates, but then people cut the locks. We’ve tried a pop up barrier, but someone used an angle grinder.

“We’re on our fourth lock this week. One was a heavy duty lock that lasted 40 minutes. We’ve managed to keep it locked for the last two days.

“That’s money that the club needs. We desperately need a new boiler for the clubhouse, but because we’re having to pay out all the time because people are irresponsible, we can’t afford it.”

A Newport City Council spokesman said it was “regrettably” the landowner’s responsibility to remove illegally dumped waste, although any contamination could be investigated by them. The criminal damage was a matter for the police.

Mrs Diggle said the rubbish was “mostly builders’ waste”, but eight tyres had recently been thrown over the fence and asbestos had also been found.

Skip hire firm GD Environmental has helped the club by taking away a couple of skips for free, but the others had been paid for by club funds.

Mrs Diggle estimated the club had spent hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds on clearing fly-tipping over the last few years.

“We’re really trying out best, we’re all volunteers,” she added. “Financially we can’t keep doing it. Every week the members are having to have working parties to go out and clear the rubbish.”

The club has also had issues with burglaries and has put bars at the windows and doors of the clubhouse.

The council spokesman said: “Clearly the repeated instances of fly-tipping at Newport High School Old Boys Rugby Club this week is alarming.

“The council is given to understand that this is secured private land that has been forcibly entered making it a matter for the police.

“The removal of waste illegally dumped at the site regrettably lies with the landowner.

“ If however evidence was brought to us showing that the land had been contaminated as a result of this crime, it would be investigated by our environmental health team.

“Fly-tipping is an issue that the council takes very seriously and costs a lot of money to clear.

“It also spoils the environment for those who live and work in Newport and visitors. Those found guilty of fly-tipping face prosecution and heavy fines.”

The club intends to report the criminal damage to police.

Anyone with information on the fly-tipping, or where the rubbish has come from, should email kath.diggle1@btinternet/com