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

The "environmental catastrophe unfolding in full view" is around 150m (490ft) extending and 6m (20ft) tall.

The huge heap has appeared in a plot of land alongside the River Cherwell close to Kidlington.

A local MP raised the situation in parliament, saying it was "risking an environmental emergency".

Conservation group reported the unlawful waste site was formed around a recently by an criminal network.

"This constitutes an ecological disaster taking place in plain sight.

"Every day that elapses raises the threat of hazardous drainage entering the river system, poisoning fauna and endangering the health of the entire river basin.

"The Environment Agency must take action promptly, not in extended periods, which is their usual reaction time."

Legal prohibition had been put in place by the environmental authorities.

It is hard to recognize any specific bits of waste as it appears to have been shredded with dirt mixed in.

Some of the waste from the peak of the heap has fallen and is now merely five meters from the stream.

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

The official requested the government for assistance to clear the illegal tip before it resulted in a blaze or was swept into the aquatic system.

Informing parliament members on Thursday, he declared: "Illegal operators have deposited a massive amount of unlawful polymer rubbish... amounting to substantial weight, in my electoral area on a riverside area alongside the River Cherwell.

"River levels are rising and temperature readings indicate that the waste is also heating up, increasing the threat of blaze.

"Environmental authorities stated it has limited capabilities for enforcement, that the estimated expense of disposal is higher than the entire annual funding of the regional government."

Environment minister stated the authorities had assumed responsibility for a failing waste industry that had resulted in an "widespread problem of unauthorized dumping".

She informed parliament members the authority had served a restriction order to prevent further entry to the location.

In a statement, the authority stated it was looking into the situation and asked for details.

It commented: "We acknowledge the public's anger about situations like this, which is why we intervene against those responsible for illegal dumping."

A recently published investigation found attempts to combat major illegal dumping have been "extremely under-prioritised" notwithstanding the issue growing larger and more sophisticated.

The Environment and Climate Change Committee proposed an independent "root and branch" examination into how "endemic" waste crime is dealt with.