A LORRY load of rubbish dumped on an industrial estate in South Ockendon has sparked outrage.

A 'mountain' of waste was dumped at the end of Ardmore Road in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Residents reported that it was still smouldering when discovered.

It comes as the council comes under increasing pressure over how a 1000-metre long pile of waste was dumped on land it owns in Purfleet.

Chris Baker, UKIP councillor for Ockendon, said: "This is a complete disgrace, masses of rubbish dumped near a bridge where kids have to go over for school. Whoever is responsible should be found and prosecuted.

"I have already spoken to local workers in the area who are shocked at this and who want whoever is responsible found and dealt with using the full force of the law.

"We must stop people using our borough as a rubbish tip. Those that do must be found and made an example of. Myself and my fellow UKIP Councillors will be doing whatever we can to stop this type of thing happening in Thurrock."

One resident called into the Gazette to vent his fury. He said: "This is disgraceful, it's such a mess. I didn't expect to wake up and find that.

"Purfleet first, now here. Where will be next?"

A spokesman for Thurrock Council said the authority was aware of the problem and that the waste is being cleared today [Friday].