THE bank holiday weekend brings a flurry of activity in the garden, but lazy residents could be facing a fine or five years in prison for dumping their garden waste.

This is the penalty for anyone found guilty of fly-tipping - a bad habit that is costing taxpayers more than £126,000 a year.

But Swindon Council's Environmental Enforcement Team is already on the case of rogue traders illegally dumping garden waste in Swindon's back alleys and lay-bys.

The team has been using secret cameras at regular fly-tipping sites to catch the scoundrels.

They have also been visiting premises to identify those without a commercial waste licence.

Coun Brian Mattock, cabinet member for local environment and sustainability, said those breaking the law should be aware that eventually they will be caught.

He said: "We are determined to stamp this out and our enforcement teams have issued four fixed penalty notices since April and are preparing two prosecutions.

"The enforcement team uses a variety of techniques, including disguising cameras in fly-tipping areas to identify the culprits and rogue companies.

"There is absolutely no excuse for fly-tipping as garden waste is collected fortnightly from outside people's houses.

"This is a completely free service and all people need to do is make sure their garden waste is placed in a green plastic sack.

"There is also the Waterside Waste Disposal Unit, which is open seven days a week and is now open until 9pm."

Offenders who are prosecuted can face an unlimited fine or a five-year prison sentence. Fixed penalty notices can be issued for either £80 or £300.

The public and trade premises are urged to ask companies clearing waste from their properties to provide proof that they are registered waste carriers.

Householders have a legal duty of care to ensure that waste from their premises is properly dealt with otherwise they could face prosecution too.

As a minimum precaution, the registration number of the carrier's vehicle and their name should be taken.

Coun Mattock added: "If a contractor offers to take waste at a price which seems too good to be true, it probably is.

"This ultimately means it becomes the council's responsibility to clear away the mess, which costs thousands of pounds in clearing the site and enforcement action, when this money could be put to good public use elsewhere."

Members of the public wishing to verify whether a waste carrier is registered or not should call 0870 850 6506.

Compost bins can be purchased from Enterprise Works or by visiting www.recyclenow.com/compost.