THE Secretary of State for Justice described a 1,000 metre long trail of waste in Purfleet as “absolutely shocking” during a visit.

Chris Grayling was invited by Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price to see the sheer scale of the illegal dump on council-owned land.

The site, which is accessed opposite Purfleet station, has been occupied by travellers on and off since July.

The waste, which consists of domestic household rubble - that builders may have paid to be disposed of - and even some waste from East London pharmacists.

Thurrock Council believes the rubbish was dumped by white vans over a three week period.

Mr Grayling said: “This is an extraordinary, organised illegal act that is absolutely shocking and should be dealt with by the full force of the law.

“I’ve been talking to the council officials about how they’re going to go about trying to track down the people who did this and they should get full support in doing that.

“It’s at a huge cost to Thurrock Council, it’s completely wrecked this site, it’ll take a large amount of money to clear it and it’s completely unacceptable.”

Pick up next week's Gazette to read about how this astonishing amount of waste appeared at the site without anyone knowing.