A FAMILY were ‘trapped’ in their home after about five tonnes of potentially lethal asbestos-riddled waste was dumped outside their farm.

Emma and Simon Turpin, from Plympton, have four children and keep a variety of animals but as they returned home on Wednesday they were shocked to find the dangerous, toxic rubbish.

Emma, aged 31, said: “My husband and our friend were trying to move the rubbish but then we found out it’s asbestos. I’m so worried; this is all just a nightmare.

“We had to try and move it because it blocked us in our house and trapped me and my family. If anything happened to the kids or animals we wouldn’t have been able to get out.”

The pair have four children, aged between 11 years old and 3 months, and they keep 10 horses, chickens, dogs and cats.

Simon, aged 36, said: “Our driveway is half a mile off the road to the house.They’ve dumped it in the gateway and blocked the lane completely. We can’t get in or out.”

The couple believe two men in a white transit van with mesh on the back reversed into the lane that leads to their house between 5pm and 5.40pm.

They think they waited until dark to dump the waste that included rubble, fridge freezers and office chairs before making their escape.

Emma continued: “I can’t believe someone would have the audacity to do this. It’s such a pain.

“The council have refused to move it because it’s asbestos so we’ve got to find a specialist company.”

Simon is a builder and understands the process of removals.

He said: “I’m in the building trade. I know waste removers but no-one that would fly tip. I know what it costs to take the waste to a tip as well but now we’ve got to pay for it to be removed. People just don’t think. It’s selfish, stupid and all to save money.”

Emma, who works as a nail technician, said this was not the first time fly-tipping had happened in the area.

“A few weeks ago a similar thing happened. A mile onto the moor rubbish was dumped. It could be a coincidence but I think it’s the same people.

“There’s such lovely scenery here – why should it be ruined by rubbish?” The couple are appealing for anyone who may recognise the rubbish to come forward so no-one else is affected by fly-tipping. Simon added: “If anyone recognises the rubbish and knows who they paid to have it removed, they should ring the police so we can make sure this doesn’t happen again.” A spokesman from South Hams District Council said: “An inspector is investigating the fly-tipping at the farm. We have certain leads we are following up.”