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Waste criminals have deposited a mountain of garbage in a rural area in Oxfordshire.

The "environmental catastrophe occurring in plain sight" is around 150m (490ft) in length and 6m (20ft) tall.

The huge pile has appeared in a open area adjacent to the River Cherwell in the vicinity of Kidlington.

Parliament representative brought up the issue in parliament, saying it was "risking an environmental disaster".

An environmental charity said the unauthorized rubbish dump was established about a recently by an organised crime group.

"This represents an environmental catastrophe unfolding in full view.

"Every day that passes elevates the threat of poisonous run-off getting into the river system, contaminating wildlife and threatening the wellbeing of the whole watershed.

"The Environment Agency must take action now, not in months or years, which is their typical reaction time."

Access ban had been put in place by the Environment Agency.

It is challenging to recognize any particular items of rubbish as it appears to have been broken up with dirt blended.

Some of the waste from the peak of the heap has fallen and is now just five feet from the waterway.

The River Cherwell is a branch of the River Thames, which indicates it travels through Oxford before connecting with the Thames.

The MP asked the government for assistance to clear the illegal site before it caused a fire or was swept into the aquatic system.

Addressing MPs on recently, he declared: "Lawbreakers have discarded a mountain of unlawful plastic waste... weighing substantial weight, in my district on a water-adjacent land next to the River Cherwell.

"Water heights are increasing and heatmaps show that the rubbish is also warming, increasing the danger of fire.

"The Environment Agency reported it has restricted capabilities for enforcement, that the anticipated expense of disposal is larger than the complete twelve-month budget of the local district council."

Environment minister commented the administration had taken over a failing waste industry that had created an "widespread problem of illegal waste disposal".

She informed MPs the authority had issued a access ban to stop more entry to the area.

In a declaration, the agency confirmed it was examining the situation and appealed for details.

It commented: "We share the public's concern about incidents like this, which is why we respond against those accountable for environmental offenses."

A newly released investigation found initiatives to combat major environmental offenses have been "severely under-prioritised" notwithstanding the situation growing larger and more advanced.

A parliamentary committee recommended an independent "root and branch" investigation into how "prevalent" environmental offenses is tackled.