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

The "environmental catastrophe unfolding in plain sight" is around 150m (490ft) long and 6m (20ft) high.

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

Parliament representative raised the situation in parliament, stating it was "threatening an environmental emergency".

An environmental charity said the unauthorized garbage pile was established about a month ago by an organised crime group.

"This is an ecological disaster developing in full view.

"Each day that elapses elevates the danger of toxic seepage entering the river system, contaminating fauna and threatening the condition of the whole catchment.

"Environmental authorities must respond promptly, not in months or years, which is their typical response period."

A restriction order had been implemented by the regulatory body.

It is difficult to identify any particular items of rubbish as it looks to have been broken up with soil combined.

A portion of the rubbish from the peak of the pile has fallen and is now only five meters from the river.

The River Cherwell is a branch of the River Thames, which signifies it runs through Oxford before meeting the Thames.

The MP petitioned the government for help to remove the unauthorized dump before it caused a blaze or was carried into the river system.

Informing MPs on recently, he stated: "Lawbreakers have deposited a mountain of illegal synthetic materials... amounting to hundreds of tonnes, in my electoral area on a water-adjacent land alongside the River Cherwell.

"River levels are rising and heatmaps demonstrate that the garbage is also heating up, increasing the risk of combustion.

"Environmental authorities stated it has inadequate capabilities for compliance, that the anticipated cost of clearance is higher than the whole twelve-month budget of the local district council."

Environment minister stated the authorities had taken over a struggling disposal business that had created an "widespread problem of unauthorized dumping".

She told MPs the organization had served a prohibition notice to prevent further entry to the location.

In a declaration, the agency said it was examining the situation and asked for details.

It commented: "We acknowledge the public's frustration about occurrences like this, which is why we intervene against those responsible for environmental offenses."

A recently published study found efforts to tackle significant waste crime have been "severely neglected" despite the problem becoming larger and more complex.

Government advisors suggested an independent "comprehensive" examination into how "endemic" environmental offenses is addressed.