A councillor has attacked the dumping of mattresses in a car park near South Oxhey playing fields.

Councillor Andrew Scarth, representative for Oxhey Hall and Hayling, has expressed his frustration after six mattresses were dumped in The Pavilion car park, off Green Lane on Wednesday.

He said: "Fly-tipping is a continual nuisance for the owner of this pub and restaurant.

"Though it is a private car park and therefore the responsibility of the owner, it has to be open to the general public as it is the only parking space for footballers, dog walkers and other residents to park their cars and gain access to the South Oxhey playing fields."

Councillor Scarth said more rubbish had been dumped after a nearby recycling depot was closed in 2011.

The Lib Dem said: "Ever since the Wiggenhall Road recycling depot was shut by the county council, we have seen an increase in fly tipping.

"It is not the county council who pays the cost of clearing up rubbish like this. It is down to private owners or the district council to spend precious time and money getting it sorted.

"Is it right that the taxpayer has to foot the bill? I certainly do not think so."

Giles Cooper, spokesman for Hertfordshire Constabulary, said police are aware rubbish is being dumped in the car park, but have not launched an investigation.

He said: "Officers from the South Oxhey Safer Neighbourhood Team are aware of rubbish being at the location, which is private land.

"Currently a crime has not been reported to us in relation to this so we cannot investigate until this happens."