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Fly-tippers have discarded a massive amount of rubbish in a field in Oxfordshire.

The "environmental catastrophe occurring in public view" is approximately 150m (490ft) in length and 6m (20ft) in height.

The massive mound has appeared in a open area alongside the River Cherwell close to Kidlington.

Elected official brought up the problem in parliament, stating it was "threatening an ecological catastrophe".

Conservation group said the unauthorized rubbish dump was established about a few weeks back by an criminal network.

"This represents an ecological disaster unfolding in full view.

"Each day that passes increases the danger of toxic run-off entering the waterways, polluting wildlife and putting at risk the health of the complete catchment.

"The Environment Agency must respond promptly, not in months or years, which is their usual reaction time."

Access ban had been put in place by the Environment Agency.

It is difficult to recognize any individual bits of waste as it looks to have been shredded with soil mixed in.

Part of the garbage from the top of the heap has fallen and is now just five meters from the waterway.

The River Cherwell is a branch of the River Thames, which means it flows through Oxford before joining the Thames.

The official petitioned the government for support to remove the illegal site before it resulted in a blaze or was swept into the aquatic system.

Speaking to elected representatives on recently, he said: "Illegal operators have dumped a huge quantity of unlawful plastic waste... totaling substantial weight, in my electoral area on a water-adjacent land next to the River Cherwell.

"River levels are increasing and temperature readings show that the waste is also warming, elevating the risk of fire.

"The Environment Agency reported it has inadequate capabilities for compliance, that the estimated expense of removal is larger than the entire yearly allocation of the regional government."

Government official commented the authorities had assumed responsibility for a failing waste industry that had caused an "widespread problem of unauthorized dumping".

She advised representatives the authority had implemented a restriction order to stop additional entry to the area.

In a announcement, the authority said it was examining the situation and requested for evidence.

It said: "We understand the community's concern about situations like this, which is why we take action against those responsible for illegal dumping."

A newly released investigation found efforts to tackle significant environmental offenses have been "severely under-prioritised" despite the problem becoming more extensive and more complex.

Government advisors proposed an separate "thorough" investigation into how "widespread" illegal dumping is addressed.