WARNINGS of the cost to the countryside due to illegal dumping were renewed this week after a skip load of rubbish was deposited at the National Trust Witley Common car park on Lea Coach Road.

There was an outpouring of angry comments on the Godalming Community Board Facebook page when Jane Stephens posted photos of a mound of rubbish despoiling the beauty spot on Monday morning.

National Trust lead ranger Matt Cusack said: “We are aware of a fly-tip at our car park at Witley Common, on Lea Coach Road on Monday, March 4.

“Fly-tipping is illegal and we appeal for anyone with information to contact Surrey Police. We have made Waverley Borough Council aware and are working to have it swiftly removed. The National Trust spent more than £20,000 last year clearing up fly-tipped waste, which would be better off spent on conservation.”

In 2018, Surrey Wildlife Trust revealed it spent nearly £50,000 clearing rubbish dumped at its countryside sites and appealed to householders and businesses to make sure contractors commissioned to dispose of bulky waste were doing so legally.

The trust reported its countryside estate team had been called out to clear up more than 100 separate incidents of waste being dumped on nature reserves.