A NEW team is tackling flytipping and rubbish dumping after the borough was found to be the worst in London and the home counties by the Environment Agency.

Hillingdon Council has hired enforcement officers after 1,129 instances of unlawful tipping incidents recorded since 1999. Links with major road networks, including the M25 and M4, which offer an easy getaway are thought to attract offenders.

Bill Hickson, principal enforcement officer, said: "Since operating, the new team has already gathered some useful evidence and we intend to prosecute the perpetrators.

"We are paying particular attention to areas that are favoured dumping grounds among fly-tippers. They may be secluded, isolated or quiet at particular times of the day. These areas are being monitored."

A new drainage ditch could prevent householders suffering the misery of flooding.

The ditch in Home Covert, Hillingdon will run along the south side of the footpath leading from Sutton Court Road through Home Covert. It will collect water from higher ground to the south and east and carry it to an outlet in Sutton Court Road.

The £8,000 engineering works was designed after residents in Grosvenor Crescent complained of floodwater in their gardens.

The project should be completed early in the new year.