A PARISH council has announced the removal of litter bins near a cow’s field in their bid to reduce "unsightly and dangerous" fly tipping at a beauty spot.

Dedham Parish Council has been working with neighbouring authorities and partners to solve the fly tipping problems near the River Stour which also put cow’s life at risk after they were picking and eating the dumped rubbish.

In the past few weeks, especially on sunny days the village has been inundated with visitors following the easing of the lockdown restrictions.

A Dedham Parish Council spokesman said a small number of these visitors left a trail of rubbish and detritus in their wake.

She added: “Not only is this rubbish unsightly, it is also dangerous to the cattle and wild animals which access the river here.

“As well as leaving items such as disposable barbecues, items of clothing, bottles and cans and human excrement behind, visitors are also piling up rubbish beside the litter bins which have been emptied by Colchester Borough Council staff twice a day on particularly busy days.

“Having discussed with partners including the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Stour Valley Project, the landowner, Stratford St Mary Parish Council, and Colchester Borough Council it has been agreed to remove the litter bins from beside the gate leading to the river footpath.

“The idea is to remove the focal point which seems to encourage visitors to dump their rubbish here and to encourage them to take it home with them.

“This approach has been shown to work in other locations and will be for a trial period, which will be closely monitored.”

They collectively decided to remove the litter bins at the entrance gate, near Brook Street after visitors were dumping rubbish next to the already overflowing bins.

The dog bins will also relocated, but not completely removed, as it is recognised that it is unsanitary to take dog waste home by car.

The spokesman said the dangerous practice of “tombstoning” from the bridge is under consideration by Suffolk County Council.

She added: “Dedham Parish Council is extremely grateful to the volunteer litter pickers who have been out in the mornings and evenings to clear up the rubbish and we hope they will continue to help their community in this way.”

A sign will also be put up to notify visitors of these changes, to discourage barbecues and to clarify that the area is not a public open space, but a footpath.