FLY-TIPPERS are being warned they will be penalised after an increase in rubbish dumping in a Newport lane.

Some residents in Ringland claim the rise in abandoned waste is due to confusion over Newport council's trial recycling scheme.

The council hopes that by halving the collection of green wheelie bins to 9,000 homes, residents will recycle more of their waste.

Initial figures from the council show a 44 per cent increase in recycling at the pilot homes.

But boss Stephen Davison said the lane in Ringland has always been a fly-tipping hot spot and promised to clamp down on offenders.

The head of public protection and environmental services said: "This is one of a number of fly-tipping hotspots from a time long before the pilot scheme.

"The pilot scheme should not be used as a scapegoat.

"There is a minority who will dump their rubbish and we will penalise them for their irresponsibility, especially where recyclable items are dumped.

"Many people on this scheme who never recycled before are now recycling because they realise that it is far easier, and makes more economic and environmental sense to recycle or dispose of items responsibly."

But Beverly Adams, 66, of Playford Crescent, didn't agree.

She said bags of rubbish in the lane serving residential garages were an eyesore and a health hazard.

The grandmother said the council's effort to boost recycling by reducing weekly collections of household waste to fortnightly removals has encouraged fly-tipping.

She said: "The recycling pilot seems to have exacerbated the situation.

"People see the lane as a quiet spot to ditch their waste.

"It looks absolutely awful.

"Children play back there and it's dangerous. We've also had rat problems in the past.

"They say the recycling campaign is working, but it isn't. The people that recycle still do, and the people that don't bother are dumping their bags."

The six-month trial started in early October. If successful, the whole city could be involved.