Fly-tipping reached a record level in Windsor and Maidenhead last year, figures show, though no court fines were handed out.

The Country Land and Business Association said the "disgraceful behaviour" blights the countryside and warned that the true extent of fly-tipping across England is probably even higher than feared.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs data shows 2,034 fly-tipping incidents were reported to RBWM council in 2020-21.

This was more than double the 944 discoveries made the year before, and the highest number since comparable records began in 2012-13.

However, no fines resulting from court convictions were issued in the area last year – and none were issued in 2019-20.

Windsor and Maidenhead Council carried out 2,226 enforcement actions in 2020-21, including 155 fixed penalty notices.

Across England, a record 1.1 million incidents of rubbish dumped on highways and beauty spots were found in 2020-21, up from 980,000 the previous year.

But the number of court fines halved from 2,672 to just 1,313 – with their total value decreasing from £1.2 million to £440,000.

Councillor David Cannon, cabinet member for public protection, said: “As the public expects, the council takes a zero tolerance approach against all forms of environmental crime, including fly-tipping, dog-fouling and littering, which unfortunately pollutes the environment for everyone.

A Royal Borough council spokesman said: "Those who fly-tip their waste are being irresponsible with little thought for the harm their selfish actions can cause the environment, wildlife and, potentially, the public. There are also financial consequences with the cost of clearing dumped waste.

“There is no excuse to fly-tip when there are so many ways to dispose of waste responsibly. Residents can use the Stafferton Way Household Waste and Recycling Centre to dispose of a wide range of items.

“The council has a dedicated enforcement team to tackle environmental crime in order to make the borough a cleaner and safer place to live, work and visit. We always seek to prosecute or fine fly-tippers when there is sufficient evidence to identify an offender.

“Anyone who witnesses an environmental crime in the borough, or has information to help identify an offender, should get in touch to provide as much information as possible, such as the location and time of the offence, what occurred, a description or address of the offender(s), and the registration number of any vehicle involved. Please report any incidents via our website at https://www.rbwm.gov.uk/home/transport-and-streets/report-problem-flytipping.”

Windsor and Maidenhead saw 13.4 fly-tipping incidents per 1,000 people last year – which was below the average across England, of 20.1.

Household waste accounted for 1,475 (73%) incidents last year, while 13 separate incidents were classed as large enough to fill a tipper lorry.

These cost the council £1,872 to clear up.

Sarah Lee, director of policy and campaigns at the Countryside Alliance, said: “From quiet rural lanes and farmers’ fields to bustling town centres and residential areas, fly-tipping continues to cause misery across the country.

“Lockdown and the subsequent closure of tips only exacerbated this situation and we would urge local authorities to think very carefully about preventing access to these facilities in future.”