A LANDOWNER and site operator have been ordered to move a large pile of tyres that has built up in Lye - close to people's homes.

The huge mound of tyres was pictured on privately owned land, next to the derelict former White Horse public house at Cross Walks, at the weekend.

It's understood a complaint was made to the council in November but Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for public realm, said the matter has since been brought to the attention of the Environment Agency which is investigating.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We are aware of the tyres stored at this site in Lye, near Stourbridge.

“We have instructed the landowner and site operator to have them removed as soon as possible and will be investigating why the site was being used for such storage.

“If residents have environmental concerns they should contact our 24/7 hotline 0800-80-70-60.”

A local resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "Compared to last week the pile has considerably gone down but you can see how close the remaining tyres are to that house."