Supermarket chain Tesco has called for people to use its recycling area responsibly, after it was left strewn with dumped waste.

The Journal has been sent photographs taken on November 16 at Tesco’s Salterton Road store, showing piles of cardboard and other rubbish by the recycling bins.

In response, Tesco said the store had stepped up efforts to keep the facility clean, but that this was proving not to be enough to combat misuse.

A Tesco spokesman said: “Unfortunately, we are experiencing high levels of fly-tipping and improper use of our recycling facilities at Exmouth Superstore.

“We have increased the frequency by which colleagues and our supplier, DS Smith, are tidying the facility, but the problem is persisting.

“We will keep the situation under review and apologise to our customers for any inconvenience this is causing them.”