The bags contained builders' rubble and trimmings from a yew hedge. What the tippers may not have realised - or perhaps they didn't care - is that yew is terribly poisonous to cattle. Four of Brookfield's dairy cows ate some of the trimmings and tragically died soon afterwards. Our excellent local vet, Alistair Lloyd, confirmed that the cause of death was yew poisoning.

This was a terrible blow to David and Ruth Archer, both because of the dreadful shock of discovering four of their precious herd dead, but also because of the financial consequences. They had the ignominious task of clearing someone else's rubbish and taking it to the legal tip at their own expense!

Flytipping is an outrageous blot on our green and pleasant land and this is not the first instance of this pestilence in the area. Lynda and Robert Snell at Ambridge Hall have also recently suffered at the hands of the criminally careless.

I urge anyone who has any information to come forward. Did you see a builder's van that night, or are you aware of any property with a yew hedge which has recently had building work? Please contact Borsetshire Constabulary or David Archer at Brookfield Farm.