ABOUT 30,000 tonnes of household waste dumped across an area the size of a football pitch has been discovered at a protected site.

The public has been urged to stay away from Cave’s Inn Pits Site of Special Scientific Interest near Shawell in Leicestershire while the waste is investigated, the Environment Agency said.

The area where the shredded waste had been dumped was “well-concealed” and only found after members of the public reported a bad smell.

Officers found layers of waste with soil used to cover it.

Alongside a criminal investigation, the agency is assessing local air and water quality.

Environment Agency area director Ian Jones said: “This is a sickening case of large-scale illegal waste dumping.

“We have launched an investigation to find the criminals and ensure they pay the price.”

Phil Hukin of Natural England said it was “heartbreaking” to see one of England’s precious Sites of Special Scientific Interest damaged like this.

Anyone with information can report it to the Environment Agency or anonymously to Crimestoppers.