A couple caught on camera dumping rubbish in a country lane said they did not know fly-tipping was illegal, only that it was "frowned upon".

David Leslie Light and Jayne Elizabeth Mills-Light, both from Buckingham Way in Flackwell Heath, were recorded on surveillance cameras dumping rubbish in Winchbottom Lane, Little Marlow, on two separate occasions.

There was also evidence in the dumped rubbish that led investigators to their address.

The pair were interviewed under caution by council officers at High Wycombe police station after the fly-tips on December 22, 2019, and January 12 this year.

They made ‘no comment’ replies to all questions despite being presented with surveillance images showing the vehicle registrations and a person identifiable as Mr Light depositing the rubbish.

When they came before Wycombe Magistrates' Court, they both pleaded guilty, arguing they thought fly-tipping was legal but "frowned upon".

In sentencing, the magistrates took into account personal financial circumstances and the early guilty pleas.

David Leslie Light, who physically deposited the waste, was fined £500 and ordered to pay £1,000 towards clean-up, investigation and legal costs. A victim surcharge of £50 took the total for him to pay to £1,550.

Jayne Elizabeth Mills-Light, the driver on both occasions, was fined £200 and ordered to pay £500 in costs. The £32 victim surcharge took the total she had to pay to £732.

Bill Chapple OBE, Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change, said: "Instead of disposing of their rubbish responsibly, this couple made the decision to go out late at night - on two separate occasions - and dump it in a local country lane.

"The waste that they fly tipped on the roadside could have been taken to their local council household recycling centre for a small fee.

"Instead they have to pay out over £2,000 and live with a criminal record."