Of particular concern has been a pile of asbestos sheeting – probably from an old roof – which was left dumped on Sheepdyke Lane last week.

Assistant parish clerk Philip Hemingway said people needed reminding that it was usually Hunmanby Parish Council that paid to remove and dispose of items left on roadside verges or next to the recycling bins at the community centre.

He said: "Just lately we have had beds tipped on Filey Road near the 'Welcome to Hunmanby' sign, plus toys, bikes, sun loungers, etc, dumped at the community centre.

"The latest lot to be tipped is asbestos sheeting which was dumped, we think, on Wednesday night on Sheepdyke Lane."

Mr Hemingway said it was spotted and identified by a local farmer, and because it was a hazardous material a specialist firm would have to be hired to remove it.

He said village caretaker John McCormick picked up a lot of dumped household waste, some of which could be placed in the council's skip – but ultimately, it was taxpayers who were footing the bill as the parish council had to pay for the skip to be emptied.

He said: "If people see anyone doing it, they should report it to us or the police. We will clear up rubbish, but we'll also report it to Scarborough Council because they're as keen as us to stamp it out.

"It makes the place untidy, and we'd like to make everyone aware there's a recycling centre at Seamer Carr. If you're going to put something in a van and drive out to dump it, you might as well go there and dispose of it properly."

Parish council chairman Joyce Coggins said: "It's worrying that people are not bothering. We've had two or three mattresses in the village, and people think they can tip rubble in any empty space. People don't appreciate how lucky they are to live here."

Cllr Coggins – who has lost two good friends from the asbestos-related lung disease mesothelioma – said although it was the "safer" white asbestos that was found by the roadside, it was still very concerning.

Commenting on fly-tipping in general, Eileen Piper, chairman of Hunmanby in Bloom, said: "We obviously deplore it. Any sort of litter is bad, but particularly big items."

Mrs Piper said it did not help that Scarborough Council kept increasing its charges for collecting large items for householders – a service that used to be free.

She said: "To me it's a false economy because people aren't prepared to pay a lot to get rid of their stuff. But there's no excuse for fly-tipping."

Reports of fly-tipping can be made to Scarborough Council on (01723) 232323 or via the council's website; or to the Environment Agency via its 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060.