An estate agents has been fined thousands of pounds for allowing rubbish to pile up at the rear of a property and refusing to clear it.

Piles of rubbish including bits of wood and plastic were found at the back of a house in King Edward Road, Romford, which is owned by Primeacre, a company based in Manor Park.

Primeacre received a £5,000 fine earlier this month from Barkingside Magistrates Court and was also ordered to pay costs of £339.

The owners were served two notices but the rubbish still remained after a month – they were also asked to mend their fences so people could not access the land to fly-tip.

Cllr Robert Benham, cabinet member for environment, said: “I hope that this result encourages other businesses in the borough to be proud of their surroundings and play their part in keeping the borough clean.

“Business owners have a responsibility to keep their premises and land clean and to make sure that others cannot fly-tip on their land.”

The company has been given 28 days to remove the rubbish to avoid further prosecution.