An investigation has been launched after a mountain of waste and rubble was dumped at the back of a prominent city centre eyesore in one of the biggest cases of fly-tipping the council has ever dealt with.

An investigation has been launched after a mountain of waste and rubble was dumped at the back of a prominent city centre eyesore in one of the biggest cases of fly-tipping the council has ever dealt with.

More than two lorry loads of waste concrete and building materials were dumped directly behind the old McDonald's fast food restaurant on Westlegate last weekend.

Mystery still surrounds the identity of the culprit and fly-tipping officers at Norwich City Council have launched their own investigation into the illegal waste which will have to be removed.

The lorry loads of rubble, green waste, doors and household fixings was dumped in a car park in an area called Lion and Castle Yard near to the controversial Westlegate House, a derelict building which critics have argued needed to be pulled down years ago, sometime on Saturday.

The area, which is private land, is covered by CCTV and council officers are currently trawling through hundreds of hours of footage to see if that throws up any clues as to who is responsible.

Tony Stallabrass, environmental protection officer at the council, said: “This is such a blatant offence that took place in the middle of the day on Saturday, that we are really hopeful that there will be witnesses to the incident.

“It is really shocking that people would dump such a lot of waste in the city centre. It really highlights the issue is just as apparent in the city, not just in country lay-bys.

“There are some really quite unique looking items down there so hopefully someone will recognise something and give us a call.”

Council officers are investigating the site before it is cleared for any incriminating evidence and also studying CCTV footage to see if they can spot exactly who dumped the waste.

Katie Bayliss, environment spokeswoman for Norwich City Council added: “There are so many ways to get rid of waste - skips for one are an easy method and very cheap.”

Fly tipping costs the council £125,000 a year in constant clear ups.

Julie Brociek-Coulton, executive member for residents and customer care, said: “It's a real shame that people choose to fly tip. There are so many other ways to responsibly dispose of waste. It spoils the city for everyone, whether they live here or are just visiting.

“Hopefully someone will have seen something to help the investigation.”

Anyone who has any information about fly tipping should call the council on 0844 980 3333 or email rst@norwich.gov.uk

Have you got a story about fly-tipping? Call Evening News reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk