Leslie Hill owners hit out at fly-tippers

Black bags full of household waste as well as tyres, nappies, cans and even a Christmas tree were strewn over a distance of 100 yards along the Macfin Road.

Mounds of rubbish were also thrown over fences onto the property which is one of the area's top tourist attractions.

The unsightly mess greeted visitors to the farm over the Easter break which is traditionally among the busiest of the year for the Leslie family.

Hordes of visitors flock to the farm which boasts outstanding scenery and a range of farm animals for children to interact with.

Members of staff - including Laura McCurdy and Charity Cordner who were working on the farm during their school holidays - collecting two van loads of rubbish from the verge over a period of two days.

Rose-Jane Peck of Leslie Hill Farm told the Times the problem had been ongoing for several years.

"I just wish these people would stop being so thoughtless," she said.

"They just throw their rubbish out of the car and over the fence.

"Why can't they take their rubbish away to one of the council facilities in the town?

"There are places for this to be dumped.

"It seems they target this area as it is secluded and on the outskirts of the town.

"It is a problem here at present and it seems to be a problem elsewhere in Ballymoney too.

"It does spoil the view and lowers the tone of the area.

"It is frustrating and unnecessary."

Rose-Jane said she believed people may be congregating close to the farm to drink, given the number of empty drink cans in the vicinity.

Ballymoney Borough Council recently announced a clampdown on fly-tippers and those caught dumping rubbish in the borough.

Anyone caught doing so will face a fixed penalty of 50 and could face legal action.