Casual labourers offering spring hedge-cutting and tree-lopping services are suspected of fly-tipping waste material.

Police say people from outside the region are taking on outdoor work and disposing of the waste illegally, only to leave local councils footing the bill.

A police spokesman said: "Traditionally at this time of the year there is a marked increase in strangers cold-calling local residents offering what appear to be cheap hedge-cutting services.

"Their service includes taking away what is cut off. But in reality, what is taken away is, in a high number of cases, just dumped at the first opportunity.

"The casual labourers, who are difficult to identify, charge for taking it away, but are not prepared to pay the fees at local authority refusal disposal sites.

"Residents should be sure that the man, or men, they get to cut their hedges and lop their trees are bona-fide professionals who will legally dispose of waste material and not drop it off in a gateway or on the side the road for someone else to clean up."

The spokesman said people throughout Worcester, Malvern and Wychavon should ensure they know the true identity of the hedge-cutter before agreeing to work being undertaken.

"Any caller who is not prepared to provide their full details, which should always be checked by the resident with a phone call or by looking in the telephone directory, should not be employed to do the work."

Police would like to hear of anyone who has seen fly-tipping taking place or who is approached with hedge-cutting offers but are concerned at the approach. They can be contacted on 08457 444888.

"Prosecutions for fly-tipping hedge-trimmings and tree-loppings will almost always have to rely on the fact that someone has seen it taking place. Without that there is little chance of gaining a conviction," the spokesman added.