A flytipper who billed himself the “man with a van” was handed a hefty fine yesterday for dumping building rubble at a former hospital.Gavin Hart, of Norwich Road, Cromer, pleaded guilty to knowingly dumping waste without a licence and was told to pay £1,085 in fines and costs.

A flytipper who billed himself as the "man with a van" was handed a hefty fine yesterday for dumping building rubble at a former hospital.

Gavin Hart, of Norwich Road, Cromer, pleaded guilty to knowingly dumping waste without a licence and was told to pay £1,085 in fines and costs.

Cromer magistrates heard how the 42-year-old dumped at least two van-loads of builder's waste at the town's former Fletcher Hospital.

Parminder Ubhi, prosecuting for North Norfolk District Council, said investigating officers had found a receipt for skip hire in the rubble which led them back to the St Mary's House developers who had transferred the rubbish to Hart.

Through the developers they were able to track down Hart, who had advertised in a Cromer newsagent window as "man with a van".

David Foulkes, defending, said Hart "did not really understand the implications of what he was doing" and was just "trying to earn a few pounds in part-time work".

Passing sentence, magistrate John Taylor said Hart did the job for remuneration, and was not complying with regulations.

After the hearing, Paul Clarke, environmental protection officer for the district council, said fly-tipping was a serious issue.

"It is a blight on the countryside and according to the national Flycapture database it is costing local authorities and private landowners hundreds of millions of pounds each year to clear dumped rubbish."

People hiring contractors to clear waste can check their licences through the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 or by using the agency's website, www.environment-agency.gov.uk

If anyone sees any fly-tipping they are urged to report it to the council environmental protection team on 01263 516085.