TWO men dumped rubbish at a New Forest beauty spot after running out of money to pay tipping fees, a court heard.

Anthony Stamp and James Arnold ditched computer equipment and builder's rubble at Avon Heath Country Park, near Ringwood, New Forest magistrates were told.

Edward Strouts, prosecuting on behalf of the Environment Agency, said the offence took place at Watton's Lane on November 7 last year.

He added: "The two men were seen by a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds warden, who alerted the police.

"The defendants tried to drive away in their van, but were stuck behind the warden's car.

"One of them said they were fly-tipping because they had undercharged for a job and could not afford to pay tipping fees.

"Once you get one person dumping rubbish in an area it encourages others and you end up with a regular fly-tipping spot."

Arnold, 19, of Winfrith Crescent, Parkstone, and Stamp, 21, of Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, both admitted dumping waste without a licence.

EZ (Tech) Ltd paid the two men £250 to remove rubbish from its premises in Bournemouth, the court heard.

Arnold said that they had started to dispose of the rubbish legally, but spent the £250 on tipping fees and resorted to dumping what was left.

Each defendant was ordered to do 40 hours of unpaid work and pay £100 costs.

Last week in the same court EZ Tech Ltd admitted failing to secure the legal transport of waste.

It was fined £2,500 with £520 costs.