PARK patrols should be introduced to stop flytippers dumping their unwanted furniture, garden waste and building equipment, a disgruntled councillor claims.

Council contractors arrived at King George Playing Field, in Poplar Road, Canvey, yesterday to begin clearing a huge pile of rubbish - which residents claim has been building up for 18 months.

They finally took action after being contacted by the Echo.

Barry Campagna, Canvey Independent Party councillor for the island’s South ward, said the pile grew as people began dumping black bags full of rubbish and unwanted toys and plant pots.

He said: “I am cross with the council because it has taken them so long to clear the mess.

“It started with just concrete posts and old fence panels, and since then people have just been throwing their garden and household waste on top of the pile.

“I think that the council should be doing regular checks and patrols to make sure that this doesn’t happen and that any rubbish dumped in public spaces and areas is cleared away as soon as possible.”

Michael Vincent, 69, of Poplar Road, Canvey, said that flytippers are blighting the popular park.

He added: “When I moved to my home four years ago, I thought that it would be nice to live near a park, but it is often in a terrible state.

“People have been dumping their unwanted rubbish and waste for some time. It seems to be a case of out of sight, of out mind.

“I walk my dog there a few times a week and it’s a concern as animals could pick something up and hurt themselves.”

David Marchant, chief executive of Castle Point Council, admitted the pile of rubbish has been building up for “some time” - but denied claims it has been there for 18 months.

He said the delay was due to failed attempts to find the flytippers.

He said: “Following recent reports of flytipping on King George Playing Field on Canvey, all flytipped material was removed yesterday.

“This included fence posts and panelling which had been on the field for some time, though not 18 months as suggested, as efforts to contact those responsible had not been successful.”

Tom Skipp, councillor responsible for the environment, said the authority takes flytipping seriously.

He added: “I contacted the officers involved with clearing up issues such as this to help prompt the clean up operation as soon as possible.

“I don’t know exactly how long the rubbish was in the park but I find it unlikely that it was there for 18 months as we have a strict, quick procedure for dealing with flytipping at the council.”