An urgent appeal has been made in a bid to catch those responsible for fly-tipping a lorry load of commercial waste in a village road.

Lovers Lane in Great Bentley had to be closed off to traffic after around three tonnes of builders' rubbish was dumped in the middle of the carriageway.

The large pile, which was cordoned off, contained a significant amount of asbestos which will need to be taken away by specialist contractors.

The incident happened sometime on Saturday evening in the road which links up with St Mary's Road.

It was reported by a resident and Essex County Council Highways went out to carry out the traffic closure.

Tendring District Council (TDC) will organise for the waste to be removed by the end of the day and it will cost up to £1,000.

Nick Turner, TDC's Cabinet Member for Environment, said he hoped someone saw the tipping and asked anyone with information to come forward.

"This is environmental vandalism pure and simple and we want to catch those responsible," he said.

"It will cost several hundred pounds of tax payer's money to get it cleared away and there is also considerable inconvenience for people living in that area while the road remains shut."

Cllr Turner said that anyone who can help should contact the Council's fly-tipping hotline on 01255 686768.

"If we can get the necessary evidence we will not hesitate to prosecute," added Cllr Turner.

"Anyone convicted could face a fine through the courts of anything between £5,000 and £50,000."

The waste included roof tiles, plasterboard, and carpet and looked as though it could have been from an extension or garage which had been demolished.

19/12/11