A POPULAR beauty spot is being plagued by fly tippers who have dumped cannabis plants, bricks, and an electric heater in recent days.
The Ashton Moss Nature Reserve, a favourite with dog walkers and families, has been repeatedly targeted with three incidents in the last week alone.
Allan Stamper, the senior partner of the organisation that runs the reserve, told The Oldham Times: “There was fly tipping again last night (February 14), it’s just becoming a problem. The more we take on the more problems we get.
The remains of a cannibis farm dumped on February 11 at Ashton Moss Nature Reserve
Cannabis plants dumped at the nature reserve
“It’s hard work and they make it hard work by doing these silly things. I’ve reported it to the police and the dog handler has picked it up because he comes here and walks his police dogs.
“It’s just catching them now; we’ll get some cameras up and get it sorted. If anyone wants to donate any, we’d be very grateful.”
On Sunday dozens of cannabis plants with the main foliage stripped were left rotting at the site. The incident followed an identical dumping just two days earlier.
That evening fly tippers struck again this time leaving a mountain of rubbish. Stacks of scrapped items included an electric heater, suitcases, bricks and empty drawers.
Discarded cannabis plants were also discovered along Coal Pit Lane.
Rubbish dumped at Ashton Moss Nature Reserve
Mr Stamper took the land over four years ago to stop it being used for illegal fishing and said the area also had drug problems back then, but he was determined to save the beauty spot.
He said: “Cannabis and drugs were being found down here and I just thought what a beautiful piece of land we can tidy it up. I managed to find the owners and take it on and that’s what we’ve done.
“People come here for a walk, for fresh air. Families and children are here all day long. In the summer it was like a big family day out.”
The Oldham Times launched a campaign against fly tipping last month in a bid to combat littering in the region.
Any members of the public with further information about the incidents at the nature reserve are being urged to come forward.
Greater Manchester police was contacted but did not respond before the paper went to print.
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