As preparations to remove a mountain of fly-tipped waste in Oxfordshire get under way, it has been revealed an estimated 10,000 tonnes of rubbish were dumped there.
That figure comes from the Environment Agency, which is investigating what happened at the site near Kidlington.
It is now working with other agencies to remove the waste, which it said will “begin imminently”, although no start date has been given.
Further inspections will also take place to establish exactly what is in the huge pile of waste which stretches for about 150m (490ft) through a field alongside the A34 and the River Cherwell.
The mound of rubbish is made of what appears to be processed domestic waste, shredded plastics, polystyrene, tyres and other household items but other materials could be hidden.
Groundworks are currently under way at the site in preparation for the rubbish to be removed.
