Pembrokeshire is to be a key battleground in the fight to tackle unsightly and illegal fly-tipping.

The Fly-tipping Action Wales partnership – a group of local authorities and other agencies – has launched a campaign to help tackle the illegal dumping of waste throughout Wales in 2010.

Across the country there were a total of 55,300 fly-tipping incidents in the year between April 2008 and March 2009.

The annual clean-up cost to taxpayers in Wales is £3 million.

Anyone caught fly-tipping faces a fine of up to £50,000 and potential imprisonment.

Helen Jenkins, Fly-tipping Action Wales Co-ordinator, said: “We do not underestimate the scale of the problem in Pembrokeshire and the difficult task we have to tackle it.

“January is one of the worst months for fly-tipping incidents following Christmas clear-outs.

“We hope that people who are getting rid of their waste will make using a registered waste carrier one of their New Year’s resolutions.”

Helen Jenkins added: “Remember, your waste is your responsibility, so make sure you ask where your waste is going.”

The aim of the campaign is to highlight the scale of the problem and inform householders and businesses of their legal duty to get rid of waste responsibly.

Waste from our homes is regularly fly-tipped and Fly-tipping Action Wales is asking the public for their help to reduce the number of incidents.

Anyone using a builder, plumber, gardener or any other trades person to dispose of household waste must make sure they are registered as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency.

Throughout the week, there will be a series of fly-tipping action days happening across Pembrokeshire.

These will include waste carrier stop checks, pollution prevention visits and advice to traders and the public on using a registered waste carrier.

A new website, www.flytippingactionwales.org has been created to help the fight against fly-tipping.

Alternatively, the public can call the Environment Agency on 08708 506 506.