Dorothy House Hospice has hit out at the “downright dangerous” practice of flytippers leaving rubbish outside their charity stores, following a spate of incidents in Melksham.

On Monday staff opening the hospice’s furniture store on Church Street were greeted by three sofas, two beds, three TVs and a sideboard dumped in their loading bay, leaving them unable to get in with their van.

Manager Hugh Morrison said: “None of the items were saleable; some items were covered in mud and were clearly not a donation. This flytipping happens on a regular basis but this was by far the worst example.

“We phoned up the council, and they allowed us to drop it all off at the recycling centre up the road, but it still costs us money to do that.

“We can’t take donations while the shop’s shut as it’s a fire hazard.

“We’re open for donations from 9am to 5pm six days a week.”

Dorothy House director of retail James McDonald said: “People don’t realise there is a cost to the hospice to remove this type of rubbish.

“With the firework season just around the corner the mix of a stray firework and a bone-dry mattress could be devastating.

“We are extremely grateful for everyone who donates items to Dorothy House – our shops rely on their generosity, but wilful flytipping is not just unhelpful, it could be downright dangerous.”

Anyone with legitimate donations for any of the Dorothy House Hospice shops can find out more at www.dorothyhouse.co.uk