A FARMER and a businessman have been fined for dumping waste illegally.

The pair have been ordered to pay more than £3,000 after pleading guilty to allowing waste to be dumped on a local farm without an Environmental Permit.

Frederick Lavender, who owns a working farm and kennels at Burnt Oak Lane in Newdigate, appeared at Redhill Magistrates' Court last Thursday on two charges of waste offences. He was fined £375 for each charge and ordered to pay costs of £784.57 and a victim surcharge of £15.

Also in court was Anthony Ivey, of Winfield Grove, Newdigate, who admitted depositing illegal waste at Mr Lavender's farm.

The court heard Mr Lavender had given Mr Ivey permission to burn waste on the farm.

Mr Ivey was also charged with two waste offences and fined £375 for each, £784.57 in prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £15.

Environment Agency investigators visited the farm in February and found Mr Ivey tipping waste materials onto a fire.

Environmental crime officer Ben Shayler said: "Not ensuring that waste is disposed of properly is highly irresponsible, and shows a blatant disregard for the environment. I hope that these fines will act as an incentive to others who handle waste to take better care of their local environment."