PETROL bosses have vowed to step up efforts to remove tyres which are being dumped behind a service station.

Residents living next to the Esso Cliftons petrol station in Sidcup Road, Lee, say they are sick and "tyred" of flytippers using land behind the garage "like a landfill site".

Vera Dowler, who lives next to the site, says there are hundreds of old tyres behind the garage shop and fears they pose a potentially-lethal fire hazard.

Mrs Dowler says she has spoken to Esso 15 times about removing the waste but little has been done.

Now, after News Shopper got involved, Esso says it will remove dumped items "on a more regular basis".

Mrs Dowler, 57, said: "It would only take the stupid actions of one person to set those tyres alight.

"The thought of hundreds of burning tyres on a petrol station site horrifies me.

"I live on the doorstep of the garage and would stand no chance if there was a huge explosion.

"My husband George and I are living in fear of a Buncefield-style disaster. Esso had better sort it out now. The place is being used like a landfill site."

The grandmother-of-one says the tyres have been appearing at the site during the past eight months.

An Esso spokesman says the company is aware of the problem of flytipping at the petrol station.

She said the site manager has made efforts to remove dumped items but added: "To ensure continued site safety we will endeavour to remove items on a more regular basis.

"Flytipping is happening at the back of the petrol station and we are reviewing our options for the future of the Cliftons site with a view to its modernisation next year."

Middle Park and Sutcliffe councillor Brian Woodcraft said: "I've spoken to Greenwich Council about this issue three times during the past year.

"I want to see the council take enforcement action to ensure Esso are fulfilling their duties and removing the dumped items."

Greenwich Council says it has instructed the Esso garage manager to remove all of the rubbish and tyres immediately.