A flytipper stole clothes and electrical items from a recycling bank and dumped them in a field, according to the local council.

Cherwell District Council said the offender left 30 bags of rubbish in a field next to the Oxford Canal in Banbury.

A spokeswoman said the waste needed five council staff and a member of the Canal and River Trust who needed to use a boat to get to the site.

She added that about 880kg of rubbish was found at the site.

Councillor Debbie Pickford, Cherwell's lead member for clean and green said: “Flytips are a drain on the public purse, pulling hard-working staff away from other duties.

“Rather than letting the taxpayer foot the bill, we want to charge the person responsible. I urge anyone with information that will help us identify him or her to get in touch.

“What was especially frustrating in this case was the fact that the culprit appears to have removed a large volume of clothes and electrical items from the recycling banks.

"This means that materials which local residents have rightly tried to recycle were removed from the appropriate containers and dumped in a field.

"This is to the detriment of the environment, the local community and the council.”

The clean-up team spent two and a half hours cleaning the scene.

As well as clothes and electrical goods they found 12 used medical syringes, food waste and camping equipment.

Fly-tipping is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £50,000 or 12 months imprisonment if convicted in a magistrates' court.

The offence can attract an unlimited fine and up to five years imprisonment if convicted in a crown court.

The crime was committed near Hardwick Lock Field Bridge No 160 on the outskirts of Banbury.

The site is located on the outskirts of Banbury between the northern end of Grimsbury reservoir and the M40.

Anyone with information about the flytip should contact Cherwell District Council on 01295 227007. Calls will be treated in confidence.