REWARDS of up to £400 could be offered as part of a fresh crack down on fly-tipping and illegal dumping.

At a meeting of Chiltern District Council's executive committee on Tuesday, councillors heard that response times to incidents of fly-tipping, especially at the roadside and in woodlands, had to be improved.

But Cllr Don Phillips (Con, Little Chalfont) said the council had to take a much tougher line on those responsible for illegal dumping in the first place.

He suggested actively encouraging residents across the Chiltern district to report fly-tippers by rewarding those who gave information which led to the successful prosecution of an offender.

He said: "The view through the woodlands from Great Missenden across to Chesham is appalling. Our beautiful area lends itself perfectly to fly-tipping. But I was wondering if we could offer an reward to catch fly-tippers then people might be encouraged to report it. It's spoiling the whole area."

Councillors heard that most illegal dumping in the district seems to be of building materials, rubble and even glass. And Cllr Jeremy Banham (Con, Chalfont St Peter Central) said he had heard of one woman who paid a builder to take away some rubbish from her property only to find it dumped illegally elsewhere.

Harvey Patterson, the district council's legal manager, said the council had not made a single prosecution for fly-tipping for more than 10 years because of a lack of enough information and evidence.

He said: "We [the council] can only take action if someone sees it and gets a vehicle registration number. The only particular issue is if a reward would make people come forward."

The proposals are to be considered by officers at Chiltern District Council.