A man who inherited his parents’ home is urging fly tippers to stop dumping things there.

Jay Moreton, who along with his brother and sister, was left the house near Victoria Road, Douglas after his mother died, said he isn’t able to sort out the mess left by unknown tippers due to the current lockdown restrictions.

He discovered the rubbish, including tree branches about 10 feet long and a stack of the tree cuttings over six feet tall, on Sunday.

Mr Moreton said: ’Somebody’s obviously been and it has to have been a van because there’s so much of it. There’s loads of tree roots, it looks like someone’s taken a whole hedge out somewhere and dumped it.

’Unfortunately with the property being empty, it does look like it’s empty, but I don’t know how anyone would have the nerve, unless they knew it was empty but it is so much stuff.’

Mr Moreton continued: ’It’s a big purpose-built apartment building and it’s been empty for over a year and a half now, we just haven’t gotten round to selling it.

’The police can’t do anything as it’s private property, it’s only considered fly tipping if it’s on the side of a road or on a public highway.

’They suggested me to root through the rubbish to see if there’s any private papers, but there’s so much of it. I will have to pay someone to get it all removed.

’We’re never going to find out who it was.’

The property is a large house with three garages and it’s obvious that it is a private property.

’I’ve been up there to look at it all and I’m just baffled at how much stuff there is to clear,’ he said.

’For this to be down in Douglas just beggars believe.’

In recent weeks, fly-tippers have been warned that if they’re caught they could face fines of up to £2,500.

Reports increased during the lockdown, coinciding with the closure of the island’s civic amenity sites which have now reopened as the island’s covid situation has improved in recent weeks.

Police and local authorities have shared images of illegally discarded rubbish at local beauty spots including furniture, household waste and glass bottles.

Incidents at Ballaugh and Eary Cushlin are being investigated by police with those responsible facing fines of up to £2,500 under the Public Health Act.

A police spokesman said: ’Such mindless acts will not be tolerated under any circumstances.’

Geoffrey Boot MHK, Minister for Environment Food and Agriculture, said: ’One of our pledges, as an island UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is to minimise our environmental impact and protect those areas of natural beauty around us.

’Not only is the dumping of rubbish in our countryside unsightly and unnecessary but it also presents a wider danger to roaming livestock and other wildlife.’

Fly tipping should be reported to police on 631212.