Bradford Council officers have been rifling through rubbish to catch fly-tippers who have been repeatedly dumping refuse at a Bradford beauty spot.

And the culprits could face a £50,000 fine and up to five years in jail.

Members of Heaton Woods Trust and residents have been patrolling the woods after someone began leaving broken glass, rubbish bags and even carpet in the area.

Sue Brown, chairman of Heaton Woods Trust, said: "I am disgusted by what has been happening.

"We have been working together with Bradford Council to keep the woods clean and it seemed to be working up until six weeks ago.

"The area has remained clear for two years because the Council has been doing a really good job but now someone has been repeatedly dumping rubbish.

"The Council come and clear it up but it comes back with a vengeance."

Elizabeth Hellmich, a member of Heaton Woods Trust, said: "Somebody somewhere knows who is responsible.

"They keep leaving their rubbish here because they think they are not going to get caught.

"But the Council will find out where they live and why they are coming through the woods."

Mrs Hellmich said Bradford Council had looked through the papers found in the rubbish and identified the culprits.

She added: "Members of the Trust and residents are patrolling the woods to keep a close eye on the area."

Amjad Ishaq, environmental health officer for Bradford Council's Visible Services Team, confirmed that officers had looked through the dumped refuse to identify those responsible.

He said: "There have been two incidents of dumping where some evidence has been found and we are following these details up.

"Four bits of evidence have related to one business and we are currently investigating further.

"Whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute is not yet known.

"But wherever there is any evidence we will follow that up to bring the culprits to justice."