A DISTRICT council is reminding residents that they could be fined up to £1,000 for using a bogus scrap metal collection service.

Cherwell District Council tweeted today that there are many licensed waste carriers, brokers and dealers that can be used.

People can check whether a waste service in the area is licensed online on the Environment Agency website.

Last June, a scrap metal collector in Banbury who was not registered had his vehicle seized moments after he was seen removing items from a private property.