A CHARITY in Ludlow is being swamped by rubbish being dumped outside its premises.

The Shropshire Furniture Scheme says that it has become the target of fly tipping.

It says that this has followed the closure of the Coder Road waste facility that was axed as a result of cuts by Shropshire Council.

The charity claims that the recent closure of the Coder Road Amenity Skip and Household Recycling Centre has resulted in a ‘sudden and alarming’ amount of fly tipping at the Furniture Scheme's Reuse Centre in Weeping Cross Lane.

Although the Furniture Scheme is well known for its environmental work, it has been overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of unusable items that have been left at its premises.

The charity recycles domestic items for the benefit of disadvantaged people in the local community and welcomes items that can be repaired and reused.

It cannot, however, accept landfill items as it does not have the resources or logistical capability to dispose of them.

The Furniture Scheme can only accept donations that can be recycled or reused so they should be in a reasonable condition. Upholstered items and soft furnishings must adhere to fire safety regulations.

Donations can be dropped off at the Weeping Cross Lane Reuse Centre during opening hours, or can be collected free of charge within South Shropshire, by arrangement.

“Since the Coder Road site has been closed we have frequently turned up to work and found a large volume of items left outside our premises,” said James Cooper, general manager of The Furniture Scheme.

“Occasionally we find a re-useable item but unfortunately the majority has to go to landfill at a cost to the charity. A soggy mattress isn’t much use to anyone. We are asking the public to either drop items off during our opening hours or phone to arrange collection.”

A campaign and petition to save the Coder Road facility was rejected earlier this year by Shropshire Council.

It means that people living in Ludlow now have to make a round trip of around 20 miles to a site in Craven Arms.

Ludlow Town Council was among those which led the protest at the decision to close the site.

One of the key concerns was that there would be a major increase in fly tipping at the road site and other places that could even cost Shropshire Council more as they would have to collect the material that had been dumped.

Farmers were also concerned that they would pick up the bill for clearing rubbish dumped on their land and that there would also be a risk to animals.

There were also arguments about the impact on the environment of people driving to Craven Arms to dispose of rubbish.

Full details of the furniture scheme can be found at www.furniturescheme.co.uk/donate-receive/donate-furniture, by telephoning 01584 877788, or by popping in to one of their sites.

Shropshire Council offers a bulky waste collection service for this purpose. They can be contacted on 0345 678 9007 or online at http://new.shropshire.gov.uk/recycling-and-rubbish/your-collection-service/bulky-waste.