LAZY gardeners are avoiding trips to the tip by dumping bin bags full of plant clippings next to public litter bins in Honiton.

LAZY gardeners are avoiding trips to the tip by dumping bin bags full of plant clippings next to public litter bins in Honiton.East Devon District Council is so fed up with the trend, mainly affecting bins in public car parks, that it is now appealing for witnesses to name the culprits.The council considers the dumping of garden waste as fly tipping and is keen to take action against, what it calls, "illegal activity".Council tax payers are picking up the tab for the disposal of the waste.A spokeswoman told the Herald: "We have an ongoing problem in Honiton, at Dowell Street and Lace Walk car parks, where one or two bags of garden rubbish are deposited approximately once a month. "I can confirm that our StreetScene team would always clear these away. "Whilst, in normal circumstances, they would investigate who might have left the bags, in the instance of garden waste it is very difficult to identify the culprits."The spokeswoman added: "The dumping of rubbish in this way constitutes fly-tipping and we would appeal for any witnesses to this illegal activity to get in touch with us. "It would be very helpful if they could take down a car registration number (if applicable) and make a note of the time and date of the event, and then call the council's customer service centre on (01395) 516551."It has been pointed out to the Herald by a member of the public that a small number of the dumped bin bags contain clippings from shrubs overhanging public footpaths in Honiton town centre. It would appear that residents are taking it upon themselves to prune overgrown plants.