AN 'eyesore' sofa dumped in a Malvern street has since been cleared up as council leaders branded fly-tipping 'a blight' on the town.

Sarah King, the Age UK shop manager in Malvern Link, shared images of the abandoned sofa in the heart of the town and was relieved it had now been removed.

The dumped sofa in Imperial Road has led to fly-tipping being called a 'blight' by Malvern District Council which has warned fly-tippers they face prosecution if caught.

Malvern Gazette: EYESORE: The sofa dumped in Imperial Road, Malvern has now been cleared away but was there four or five daysEYESORE: The sofa dumped in Imperial Road, Malvern has now been cleared away but was there four or five days (Image: Sarah King)

Council leaders have also urged residents to use 'reputable companies' to dispose of waste to reduce the risk of fly-tipping and reminded them they could still be prosecuted if rubbish is not disposed of properly on their behalf. 

Miss King shared the images on Malvern Display Board on Facebook as people reacted with angry face emojis to the abandoned sofa which some said had got very soggy after recent downpours,

She said: "Why, just why? Sofa dumped on the pavement halfway along Imperial Road."

Malvern Gazette: MESS: The soggy sofa dumped in Imperial Road, Malvern has now been cleared away but was there four or five days as MHDC calls fly-tipping a 'blight' MESS: The soggy sofa dumped in Imperial Road, Malvern has now been cleared away but was there four or five days as MHDC calls fly-tipping a 'blight' (Image: Sarah King)

Miss King said afterwards that the sofa had been moved before it was removed. At one stage it was moved across to the entrance of the school, shifted from one side of the road to the other.

"It was there a good four to five days. It was quite an eyesore. It was very noticeable on a street that is normally so litter-free. It was such a shock to see it on the pavement. Us Malvernites are quite proud of our streets. We are quite proud of keeping Malvern clean," she said.

READ MORE: 'Devastated' campaigners condemn Malvern Hills College court ruling

READ MORE: Part of a house and more found in Priory Park pond

A spokesperson for Malvern Hills District Council said: “Fly-tips are a blight on our beautiful district and are a danger to the environment.

"We urge people to follow the SCRAP code – Suspect anyone who offers to take waste away for you. Check they are properly registered, ask to see their licence or check the Environment Agency’s website.

"Refuse any unexpected offers from people offering to take your rubbish away, find your own company. Ask what will happen to your rubbish and ask for Paperwork (such as a receipt or invoice).

"If you give your waste to someone and they illegally dump it, you could still be prosecuted as it is your waste. Help us crackdown on fly-tipping by using only reputable companies and report fly-tipping via our website. We also offer a Bulky Waste collection service for certain household items, information can be found on our website.”