Managers at Teignbridge Council have played down fears that fly-tipping is on the increase, despite an internal document that appeared to alert staff to the problem and which pictured a pile of asbestos dumped at Lower Netherton.

On April 1, Devon County Council introduced fees for DIY waste at its recycling centres. Households are charged £20 for each bag or sheet of asbestos, £7 for plasterboard and £2 for each tyre and bag of soil or rubble.

At the time, Cllr Gordon Hook, then Teignbridge Council's environment spokesman, said: 'To increase the risk of putting that in the public domain in areas perhaps where children play is criminal neglect.'

Recycling centres in Dawlish and Buckfastleigh were also closed last month as part of the county's cost-cutting measures.

Now the April 2011 Monthly Update distributed by environment staff to colleagues at Teignbridge Council has reported problems.

It said: 'The team is being kept extremely busy with numerous fly-tips, litter offences and the ever present nuisance of dog fouling.

'Fly-tipping appears to be on the increase, but the reasons for this are unclear at the moment.'

It continued: 'While asbestos is perfectly safe when in good condition, it becomes hazardous when it becomes damaged or broken as the dust and particles released can cause certain types of cancers. As you can see from this photograph, this particular load was in poor condition, thereby making it a hazard.'

But despite the bulletin, the number of recorded fly-tipping incidents in April were 86, down from 92 in March and 16 fewer than a year ago.

Asked to comment on the confusing picture, a council spokesman said: 'Reported fly-tipping figures vary month on month, so it is too early to identify a trend or draw any reliable conclusions linking incidents in the area to Devon County Council's decision to close the recycling centres at Dawlish and Buckfastleigh and introduce charges for the disposal of some non-household waste.'

He said the authority would take 'enforcement action where necessary' if culprits were traced.