Derelict buildings across Lancashire are being used as illegal dumping grounds for waste the Environment Agency has confirmed.

A specialist team of officers have now been enlisted to combat the illegal and dangerous dumping that is putting legitimate traders out of business, and damaging local communities.

5 year jail sentences and unlimited fines could be handed out to anyone caught in connection to the dumping the agency has warned.

105 properties are currently being investigated across the North West including 74 in Lancashire.

Old cotton mills and empty houses have become home to piles of rubbish that make the area dangerous to residents and to the structure of the buildings themselves.

The Environmental Agency said that building and demolition waste, used tyres, cars and car parts are the most common items found in these abandoned buildings.

"We have a committed team in the North West that is focused on identifying illegal waste sites and bringing about prosecutions where necessary to ensure the safe handling of waste in this region,” said a spokesperson for the agency.

Anyone with information has been told to contact the Environmental agency on 0800 80 70 60, or by messaging them on Twitter @envagencynw