The leader of the Association of Ross Traders has branded a court appearance and a £100 fine as 'ridiculous' after he admitted dumping business waste at a council recycling point.

Speaking outside Hereford Magistrates Court, Richard Mayo, 35, who owns Truffles delicatessen in High Street, Ross, said two police interviews and a court appearance for a 'pitiful' amount of rubbish was a waste of taxpayers' money.

"It's ridiculous that shopkeepers and small businesses cannot recycle their waste at council recycling points. If they were allowed to do so it could save them a couple of hundred pounds a year.

"Not only that but the waste generated would help the council meet their recycling targets too. There would be no losers."

Mr Mayo asked an employee to take two cardboard boxes of business waste to the Red Meadow car park in Ross last March.

But council enforcement officers spotted the boxes the following day, which had Mr Mayo's address details on them. And after contacting him, Mr Mayo admitted the offence under the Environmental Protection Act.

Mike Jones, prosecuting for Herefordshire Council, told the city's magistrates that businesses should put their waste into orange bags which cost £1 each but Mr Mayo took the cheaper option.

Mr Jones told the court: "The authority is working hard to try to reduce fly tipping in the county. It has become a matter of concern. Enforcement officers have to be diligent in these matters."

Mr Mayo apologised to the court for his actions and added: "After the sleepless nights and constant stress this has caused me over the last three months you can be assured this will never happen again.

"I didn't realise that taking cardboard to a council cardboard recycling point would have such serious ramifications.

"This is the first time I have ever been in trouble or to court and to be honest I was terrified of coming here today.

"As a business I spend a considerable amount each year disposing of my commercial waste so I do take my responsibility seriously, but my decision on March 10th was obviously the wrong one."

He added that he worked closely with businesses in Ross to tackle problems of litter and was currently involved in organising a big litter pick in Ross. He also produced a reference from Jesse Norman, MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire, which said Mr Mayo was a tireless force for good in Ross.

As well as fining Mr Mayo £100, magistrates ordered him to pay £218 costs and a £15 victim surcharge. Chairman of the magistrates Mr J Turner told him: "We take account of your good character and that this was your first offence but ignorance of the law is no excuse."