Hundreds of tyres are already being stacked up at bonfire sites in several local housing estates, and members of the council's Environment Committee this week called for something to be done to address the problem.

DUP alderman Billy Ball warned that "mountains of tyres" are being burned on local bonfires, pointing to the many that have already been dumped near the shops in New Mossley.

He commented: "Companies are charging people for tyre disposal yet there seems to be hundreds being put onto bonfires - where are they coming from? Can we not monitor these companies' paperwork to see where the tyres are going?"

The council's Director of Environmental Services, Hugh Kelly, informed the meeting that the issue is the responsibility of EHS.

Councillor Barbara Gilliland suggested that the council should undertake an initiative to encourage people not to burn tyres.

The UUP representative pointed to a scheme operating in Belfast where funding is provided for Eleventh of July family days in exchange for the co-operation of bonfire organisers in not collecting materials before June, and not burning tyres.

Mr Kelly assured members that the issue would be taken up with EHS to see what can be done.

Speaking after the meeting, District Policing Partnership Chairman Tom Campbell revealed that the DPP has received a number of complaints from residents in New Mossley about the number of tyres already collected for the estate's annual bonfire.

"These tyres present major health risks and should be removed forthwith. It's totally unacceptable that a few people are holding the whole estate to ransom," he said.

Two years ago the council worked with bonfire organisers and community workers in Monkstown estate on a scheme involving the removal of tyres from the bonfire site in exchange for pencil cases, pens and other items made from recycled materials being handed out to local school children. However, a council spokesperson told the Times that no such initiatives are planned for this year.

As well as causing damage to the environment, burning tyres also give off toxic fumes which can be harmful to people's health.