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Waste criminals have dumped a huge quantity of waste in a open space in Oxfordshire.

The "environmental crisis occurring in public view" is approximately 150m (490ft) long and 6m (20ft) in height.

The enormous heap has materialized in a field alongside the River Cherwell close to Kidlington.

Elected official raised the situation in parliament, declaring it was "risking an environmental emergency".

An environmental charity said the unlawful garbage pile was established about a few weeks back by an organised crime group.

"This is an environmental crisis unfolding in public view.

"Every day that elapses raises the threat of hazardous seepage getting into the river system, poisoning fauna and endangering the health of the whole river basin.

"Regulatory bodies must act now, not in months or years, which is their standard response period."

Access ban had been established by the Environment Agency.

It is hard to distinguish any specific pieces of rubbish as it appears to have been broken up with earth combined.

Part of the waste from the uppermost part of the heap has collapsed and is now only five feet from the stream.

The River Cherwell is a feeder stream of the River Thames, which signifies it flows through Oxford before connecting with the Thames.

The official petitioned the authorities for help to remove the illegal site before it caused a fire or was washed away into the aquatic system.

Speaking to elected representatives on this week, he stated: "Lawbreakers have dumped a huge quantity of unauthorized polymer rubbish... weighing substantial weight, in my electoral area on a riverside area adjacent to the River Cherwell.

"River levels are increasing and temperature readings show that the garbage is also warming, elevating the threat of fire.

"Regulatory body reported it has limited resources for compliance, that the anticipated expense of clearance is larger than the complete twelve-month funding of the regional government."

Cabinet member said the authorities had inherited a underperforming recycling sector that had created an "epidemic of unlawful fly-tipping".

She informed parliament members the organization had issued a prohibition notice to stop more entry to the location.

In a statement, the authority stated it was examining the incident and appealed for details.

It stated: "We acknowledge the community's concern about incidents like this, which is why we take action against those culpable for illegal dumping."

A recent study found efforts to address major illegal dumping have been "extremely neglected" notwithstanding the issue developing into more extensive and more advanced.

The Environment and Climate Change Committee proposed an separate "root and branch" examination into how "widespread" illegal dumping is dealt with.