SHEETS of corrugated asbestos have been dumped at a riverside beauty spot just minutes after the area had been given a massive spruce-up by the Environment Agency.

And as if they were raising two fingers to the efforts of the clean-up squad, the eight roofing sheets were left leaning against a shed adjacent to a 'no tipping' notice posted by the Environment Agency.

It warns that illegal tippers face fines of up to £20,000 and gives an Environment Department number – 0645 333111 – for reporting illegal activities.

The sheets were spotted at Lydney harbour by local history enthusiast Brian Russell who said he saw them being dumped from a small lorry but had been unable to get close enough to take the number.

"It was literally minutes after the Environment Agency people had packed up and gone," he said.

Brian reported his discovery to the Forest of Dean District Council but at the time of going to press the sheets are still beside the shed.

The two sheds where the asbestos has been dumped lie to the side of the main basin of Lydney Dock, which over the last few years has been targeted by dumpers as a quiet spot where they would be unlikely to be discovered.

Garden and domestic rubbish had built up along with industrial waste including gas cylinders and oil drums.

In the recent clean-up all the rubbish was carted away and acres of scrub woodland alongside the gravel road from Station Road to the docks were cleared and shredded, leaving a few more substantial bushes.

Care is advised in the handling of asbestos, which has been the subject of several health scares – dust can be extremely dangerous if inhaled and can cause lung disease which develops slowly over several years.

The Environment Department owns much of the land in the docks area, which is still awaiting firm plans for future management and development.