COUNCIL chiefs have vowed to clampdown on fly-tipping after complaints from residents.

Locals in the Infirmary area of Blackburn said they are angry with the problem of fly-tippers dumping mess in the streets.

They said the problem centres on three back alleys off Rockcliffe Street with people saying black bin bags are scattered everywhere and are making the spot look like a 'third world country'.

Bernard West, 67, who lives in Park Lee Road, said: "This area and Blackburn has become a dumping ground and some places are more like a third world country."

The rubbish has been dumped between Infirmary Street and Leach Street, Leach Street and Hall Street and Hall Street and Vale Street.

Mr West added: "There are back alley gates but it doesn't stop fly-tipping and it's obvious it's coming from the residents themselves.

"How much more time and valuable resources are the council going to spend before the tenants/landlords are held responsible and prosecuted?"

Another resident added: "This has been a problem for quite a while but it takes the council months to clean it up.

"I feel that certain areas like the Infirmary area are treated differently to somewhere like Feniscowles because they don't pay as much council tax."

The complaints have sparked a clampdown from Blackburn with Darwen Council, who said that in the Infirmary area alone, they had ten cases of fly-tipping currently under investigation.

Borough environment boss Cllr Jim Smith said: “We take a zero tolerance approach to fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour right across our borough and are absolutely committed to tackling the issue.

“Our housing department is also working closely with the envirocrime team to put pressure on landlords whose properties are the source of environmental anti-social behaviour, including incidents of fly-tipping.

“And, a multi-agency project in the Infirmary area is due to launch in September which will bring together officers from right across the council to address the problems.

He added: “We know that this is an issue for our residents and a blight on the environment and so taking action is a key priority.”