Youngsters scrambling around on a playground are risking their health because of an illegal dump close by, a councillor warned today.

Councillor Imran Hussain (Lab, Toller), pictured, said children were falling ill because of the filthy rubbish being illegally dumped at Tile Street.

Residents had constantly asked Bradford Council to clear up the huge tip next to houses and just yards from a children's playground and food store.

Gulshar Nazir, proprietor of Palyala food store, said he had asked for fencing and requested to buy the Council-owned land to end the problem.

He added: "They do come round now and then and partly clear it but it gets just as bad and there should be fencing."

He said people were dumping fridges, old clothes, carpets, furniture and food.

"We have seen mice there and it is absolutely filthy. It is close to the shop and my customers have to walk past it."

Coun Hussain, a barrister, said there were many other tips in the inner city but he believed this was the worst in Bradford.

He added: "It is appalling and even toddlers are playing in it. Children all around are ill with bad stomachs and I believe this is the cause," he claimed.

"I thought the Council was having a blitz on tipping but this one is a disgrace and covering a large area of land."

Bradford University student Amer Hussain, of Hollins Road, said: "Everyone is disgusted. It is unhygienic and dangerous and children light fires on it every weekend."

A Council spokesman said action was being taken to tackle the problem.

"We are aware of the problems with rubbish on this site.

"Six fridges have been removed today and the remainder of the rubbish will be removed at the weekend," the spokesman said.