A pioneering scheme to employ a full-time officer to tackle Thetford's fly-tipping problem has been awarded a £20,000 funding grant.

Thetford Community Association will benefit from the five-figure grant to pay for a year-long pilot project to fight fly-tipping across the town.

The funding will pay for a community support officer and high-profile public information and publicity campaigns for the duration of the project.

The pilot is believed to be the first of its kind in Norfolk as fly-tipping reaches endemic levels in some towns.

Thetford has had a spate of incidents in recent months, with dumping of waste contributing to several fires in the town.

The tipping has also caused debate over ownership of the land affected.

According to Andrew Richardson, from the Thetford Community Association, the new officer will be proactive and reactive.

'It's someone that's in place to take action against fly-tippers and bring them to book, but also to be a deterrent.

'Councils around the country have found fly-tipping is a very tough thing to deal with and to have someone from within the community tasked to target it should be extremely helpful,' he said. The decision to award funding was made by the independent Pride in Breckland Board and ratified by Breckland Council's Cabinet on November 25.

The Officer will work closely with Breckland Council, Norfolk Constabulary, Registered Providers and schools.

Councillor Lynda Turner, Breckland's deputy leader, said she is welcoming the investment.

'I am always pleased to see local communities taking responsibility for tackling local issues such as fly-tipping.

'The determination of Thetford Community Association to address what is a growing blight should be commended, as should be the additional support being offered by Thetford Town Council and Flagship Housing.'

At the end of the 12-month pilot the effectiveness of the project will be evaluated by Pride in Breckland Board.

The funding is subject to a call in period, which is due to end on December 4, and terms and conditions are to be agreed with the applicant.

Are you running an innovative scheme to tackle an issue in your area? Let us know by emailing reporter Andrew Fitchett on andrew.fitchett@archant.co.uk