'We've spent decades trying to sort it then you get barmpots like this'

A tumble dryer, shopping trollies, old tyres, a DVD player and even a cuddly toy.

They're just some of things found dumped in the Ashton Canal in recent weeks, in what one long-standing volunteer has described as the worst fly-tipping he's ever seen. Things have got so bad that the Tameside Canal Boat Trust has had to abandon some half-term boat trips because the canal was blocked.

Chair Mark Nield said: "It's real mess. I have been on the waterways for more than 20 years and it's the worst I have ever seen.

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"It's the largest amount of rubbish we have ever found. The shopping trollies are the major problem, but there's also a tumble dryer, bed frame, bicycles, a DVD player, cuddly toys.

"It's like something out of the Generation Game! I'm expecting Brucey to pop up."

The charity organises boats trips along the canal from the Portland Basin. But last week one had to turn back after it hit a tumble dryer submerged in the water.

Mr Nield says it's thought the fly-tippers are dumping the rubbish from the Cavendish Street bridge. And he's calling on the authorities to do more to catch those responsible.

He said: "It's just ridiculous. We have boatfuls of families enjoying a trip on the waterways, but sometime it feels like we're taking them through a rubbish dump.

"We are all volunteers and we have have spent decades cleaning up the canals trying to make them for everyone to enjoy, then you get barmpots like this. It's absolutely disheartening."

A Tameside council spokesperson said: "The Canal and River Trust are responsible for the canal network in the UK. The council have contacted the Canal and River Trust to report