Hertsmere's MP says flytipping that has appeared in recent weeks along country lanes is "absolutely appalling".

Oliver Dowden has said many residents have been in touch with concerns about increased flytipping in Pegmire Lane and Hilfield Lane in Patchetts Green.

A picture that he shared on Facebook was of a huge mound of rubble, including tiles, that had been dumped near some bushes.

Mr Dowden says he has been in touch with Hertsmere Borough Council about the waste.

He wrote: "I have urgently been in touch with Environmental Health at Hertsmere Borough Council and have also been liaising with local councillors.

"I am pleased to hear that Environmental Health visited the site last week and removed evidence for further investigation and that the matter has been escalated.

"All agencies involved are working hard to ensure the waste is removed shortly."

The flytipping could be a result of the tips and waste recyling sites currently being closed in Hertfordshire due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The waste facilities have been closed since March 24 due to staff absences and to comply with social distancing guidelines.

Hertfordshire County Council has today announced it is hoping to re-open up to ten sites by May 11.

This includes four sites first - Waterdale in Garston/Bricket Wood, Rickmansworth, Letchworth, and Turnford, followed by sites in Berkhamsted, Bishop’s Stortford, Stevenage, Harpenden, Potters Bar and Royston.

The county council says the tip in Allum Lane, Borehamwood, along with five other sites cannot open in the short-term because the sites "cannot be operated with safe social distancing".

The council says it is working with its contractors to solve this issue.

The council says it is waiting for government guidance first before it can open tips again.

Councillor Terry Hone, cabinet member for waste management, said: “Our priority is the safety of site staff, residents and the wider community, and I’m pleased that we’ve been able to plan ways to reopen most of our recycling centres while applying the critical social distancing advice that continues to be in place.

“We are asking residents to only visit our waste sites if their waste or recycling can’t be stored safely at home. By this, we mean that the waste or recycling can’t be stored without causing a risk of injury, health or harm to the resident or other members of their household."