Reports of fly-tipping in rural communities have soared by 300 percent during the lockdown period, analysis shows, as tip closures are blamed for contributing to the rise.

Researchers from the universities of Southampton and Portsmouth studied data from local authorities across the country, about half of which have stopped or reduced their waste management services since March 23.

The teams suggested that the surge in reports of illegal waste dumping could be linked to the closure of rubbish tips in parts of the UK, which has left many people with nowhere to take their unwanted goods.

It comes after local councillors and MPs called for tips to become accessible again- with social distancing measures introduced- in order to curb the “reprehensible” levels of fly- tipping found in their areas over the last month.

The researchers said there are few spaces left for the extra waste created by those undertaking DIY projects at home to be deposited, as charity shops remain closed.

Professor Ian Williams, of the School of Engineering at the University of Southampton, said: “This pandemic has been a wake-up call to governments and the waste sector to ensure that supply chains and markets for recyclates are diverse and resilient.

“Our current waste management system will need to evolve to be resilient to the impacts of these rare, extreme, global events to create a successful circular economy.”

David Renard, environment spokesman for the Local Government Association, added: “There are concerns that unscrupulous traders are exploiting social distancing rules in some areas to try and provide illegal waste disposal services.

“Councils appreciate residents may have larger amounts of rubbish building up and they will continue to work hard to keep waste and recycling services working as effectively as possible.”

The Government's latest guidance states that “where possible key waste sites should be maintained” by councils, as long as social distancing rules are adhered to and staffing levels are “adequate”.