A fly-tipping hotspot in Oldham which has prompted calls from angry residents for CCTV in recent weeks has seen waste from a cannabis farm dumped there, it has been confirmed.

A woodland area off New Coin Street in Royton has been hit by three separate incidents of fly-tipping over the course of the past month, with photographs documenting huge household items, from a sofa to a bathtub, being dumped there.

Over the weekend (January 28-29), dozens of bin bags containing remnants of materials to grow cannabis had also been dumped in the area, which sits next to Oldham Academy North school.

Some of the bags had even entered and polluted the river.

Due to the criminal content of the waste, Oldham Council said it has had to call the police and launch an investigation but has admitted it is also "sick and tired" of the area being used for fly-tipping.

Councillor Hannah Roberts, Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “I feel sorry for the residents who live close by.

"Like them, we are sick and tired of criminals thinking it’s fine to use this area as a tip."

Councillor Roberts also confirmed that council officers are working to identify those responsible for the latest fly-tipping drop of illicit rubbish.

She said: "Some of the waste appears to be from an illegal cannabis farm and this information has been shared with the police."

However, Cllr Roberts further revealed the Council is considering alternative options to prevent fly-tipping from taking place in the area, which includes restricting vehicle access and the use of CCTV cameras.

Residents in Royton have been calling for deterrents to be put in place around New Coin Street in recent weeks after fly-tippers have discarded waste there at least three times since New Year.

The councillor added: “In the meantime, if anyone has information, including footage of the fly-tippers dumping this rubbish, then please get in touch with us straight away."