Six flytipped double mattresses were discovered in a lane off the Ross to Ledbury road (the A449), near to the entrance to the Muddy Boots site, earlier this month.

This was the latest in a series of mattress dumpings which has sparked a large-scale investigation in the area. Three double mattresses were dumped in Glewstone and others have been left by the sides of roads in other parts of the county.

The six mattresses which had been abandoned near to the A449 were discovered on January 6th. They were not soaking wet so enforcement officer, Keith Eyles, from Herefordshire Council's Community Protection Team believes they had been left only there a day or so before.

He told the Gazette that there has been a spate of similar incidents around the country but this was the largest amount to be left in a single place.

He is keen to discover who is leaving the mattresses. Mr Eyles believes that people who have their old mattress taken away when they buy a new mattresses may hold the key to the problem.

He said they have probably thought that their old mattress was going to be properly disposed of but someone could be taking a short cut and, instead of taking the goods to a tip or recycling facility, they are just dumping them out of the back of a lorry.

Anyone who has had a mattress taken away recently is asked to contact Mr Eyles and the Community Protection Team on 01432 261671.