IT’S an idyllic spot to gaze across the river with a perfect view of the Orwell Bridge – and now there’s somewhere to sit.

Ipswich Star: The sofa abandoned on the mud in the River Orwell near The Strand, Ipswich.The sofa abandoned on the mud in the River Orwell near The Strand, Ipswich. (Image: Archant)

This sofa was spotted dumped in the middle of the mud flats of the River Orwell, just off The Strand in Wherstead.

Babergh District Council, which is the local authority responsible for the area near to the Suffolk Food Hall, was alerted to the unusual addition to the shoreline yesterday morning and a crew was sent to retrieve it.

But when they got there, they were unable to spot the battered red chair – prompting fears the tide may have come in and covered it.

A spokesman for Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils said: “Fly-tipping is a criminal offence which both Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils take extremely seriously.

“We would urge all householders to think carefully about how they dispose of extra waste as the council will not hesitate to take action when it is dumped.

“We search all fly-tipping for evidence of those responsible and we encourage members of the public who witness this thoughtless act to come forward so we can pursue those who commit this offence.

“To report an incident of fly-tipping, please call us on 01473 826622.”