Items including a television, clothes and a baby gate have been dumped in the river Dyfi.

The rubbish was spotted by Aberangell residents Steve Culverhouse and his wife Linda Rogers.

Steve told the Cambrian News how they noticed the fly-tipped waste whilst driving over the Dyfi bridge on the road into Aberangell.

He said: “We saw the rubbish from the car when driving over the bridge. The river was quite low so it was easy to spot.”

Steve came across the rubbish on Wednesday, 4 December, and brought it to the attention of a Facebook community group.

As well as the rubbish which was pictured, there was also a separate amount of rubbish located elsewhere.

He added: “There was a second lot of rubbish from the same source dumped at the Mallwyd Bridge on the back lane between Aberangell and Dinas. Both have been reported to NRW and, I believe, both Gwynedd and Powys councils.”

Steve also said that he was contacted by the person whose belongings were thrown into the river. They told him that they were “mortified”, as they had paid a man who claimed to be registered to take the items away.

“I think it’s appalling behaviour. It shows how careful you have to be to check out the credentials of anyone you pay to dispose of your rubbish,” Steve added.

Steve and Linda went in the river to retrieve the items. They said it took an hour to take it all out, and another hour to take it to the recycling centre in Dolgellau.

Fly Tipping Action Wales take a dim view of the crime.

“If you decide to fly-tip then you are breaking the law and risk a criminal record, with fines of up to £50,000 or 12 months imprisonment,” they explain.

“More serious or repeated offences can attract an unlimited fine and up to five years imprisonment if convicted in crown court.”

National Resources Wales said the incident had not been reported to them. Gwynedd Council asked for more information.