Traders are facing a 5.4 per-cent increase in charges for dumping waste at sites operated by a county council.

A new charge of £49.36 per tonne compared with the current £46.81 will come into force on April 2.

West Sussex County Council said the commercial waste increase was needed to cover rising costs and a £1 per tonne hike in the Government's landfill tax.

An estimated 6,000 tonnes of commercial waste is taken to council waste transfer stations every year.

The increase comes on the heels of moves launched at council-run public amenity rubbish tips to clamp-down on traders posing as householders to try and dodge waste disposal charges.

New checks have been launched and at many sites height barriers have been lowered to prevent the type of vans used by traders getting access.

Cabinet member for Community Services David Dewdney admitted there was concern that the new charges will lead to an increase in fly tipping of rubbish in the countryside.

But he added: "On the other hand it is a moderate increase to cover our costs because it would be unfair to ask council taxpayers to subsidise some businesses."