People in Spelthorne are being told they could be fined if their waste falls into the wrong hands.

The council says it’s residents who have a duty to dispose of their waste correctly.

But they may be unaware that they can be fined if they pass their rubbish to disreputable waste removal businesses.

If your household waste is found fly-tipped, you could still be held responsible, even if you have paid for someone else to dispose of it.

The council says people should always ask for their waste carrier’s licence before entrusting them to carry out the removal.

It is illegal for them to take your waste if they don’t have one.