PILES of filth have been dumped in a wooded area of Southampton which is inhabited by “all sorts of wildlife”.

Sholing residents have expressed their disgust after household waste was found strewn in wooded ground alongside Mersea Gardens.

Black bags stuffed with junk, cardboard boxed and some large plastic containers are some of the items that were left in the area.

Residents feared that the containers had contained “some form of chemical”, and further inspection revealed they had contained soil nutrients used for growing plants.

Locals claim that they contacted Southampton City Council to remove the rubbish but were told that the area was “nothing to do with them”. It has sparked frustration throughout the community who say “no one will take responsibility” adding that the woodland is “not some remote area miles from anywhere”.

However the council claim they are unaware of the fly tipping.

One resident, who has asked not to be identified, said: “It is by residential accommodation and is inhabited by all sorts of wildlife.

“This obviously did not bother the perpetrator. There is the usual black bags, cardboard and some large plastic containers.

“They appear to have contained some form of chemical.

“I duly informed the Council who said it was nothing to do with them.

“We live in the city not some remote area miles from anywhere.”

Another resident who contacted the Daily Echo added: “It is frustrating for everyone that no one will take responsibility, but the only person we can really fault is the culprit who dumped all the waste.”

A spokesperson from Southampton City Council said: "Our Environmental Protection Officers were not aware of this fly tip and are now in the process of investigating. The guidelines relating to fly tipped rubbish can be found on our website."

It comes after bags of rotting food, clothes, toys and other household items were left dumped at Woodmill Lane carpark near Riverside Park in September.

The rubbish had piled up around the recycling bins leaving broken glass and trails of filth across the area, which is regularly used by families and dog-walkers.

The area has proven to be a “hotspot” for fly-tippers with multiple reports of dumped rubbish in recent years.

As well as this, in July piles of household waste and rubbish were dumped around the Polygon district.

Residents hit out after years of fly tipping incidents, with some pointing the finger at HMOs in the area.