Beautiful Wanstead Flats has been “absolutely trashed” by a fly-tipping epidemic, angry residents have claimed.

Just this week mattresses, paint and broken furniture was dumped along Centre Road, blighting the plants, wildlife and stunning views.

The Recorder has been compiling evidence of fly-tipping in the Flats, as can be seen in the shocking pictures.

Bags of rubbish, discarded wood and smashed glass has been scattered along the road which bisects the park.

Just to rub it in fly-tippers have also left a mountain of waste right in front of the “Welcome to Epping Forest” sign.

Claudine Taylor, 45, of Forest Gate, says she is “so depressed” by the situation.

“I’ve lived around Wanstead Flats all my life and I’ve never seen it in such a sorry state,” she told the Recorder.

“This once beautiful area is absolutely trashed now.”

Claudine says that the lack of yellow lines along Centre Road is allowing fly-tippers to park up and use their car as a shield, while dumping rubbish.

“There are about four to five huge tips every week, as the cars provide a barrier for tipping,” she explained.

The City of London Corporation, which manages Wanstead Flats, offers £500 rewards for evidence that helps prosecute fly-tippers, and in early June seven people were fined £10,000 for dumping waste there illegally.

A City spokeswoman said: “The introduction of residents only parking in Forest Gate North has displaced large numbers of vehicles onto Centre Road.

“Unfortunately the additional long term parking has brought a significant increase in littering along the Centre Road pavement which then blows onto the Flats.”

The City of London met with Redbridge Council officials on Tuesday, to try and work out a more joined up strategy for tackling fly-tipping.

If rubbish is dumped in the park it is City of London responsibility, and on the pavement it is the council’s prerogative.

A council spokesman added: “We’re currently considering the best option to take to prevent these issues in the future.

“Tackling fly-tipping is one of the council’s biggest priorities.”

To report a tip to the City of London call 020 8532 1010 and to the council at my.redbridge.gov.uk/report/fly-tip.