SIGNS which have been put up in a park to discourage people from littering and dog fouling are making a ‘real difference’, a councillor has said.

Boards have recently been placed in Bold Venture Park by Darwen Town Council which outline the bylaws.

These include no horse riding, littering, dog fouling, mountain biking and unauthorised fishing.

Cllr Jane Oates, who represents Darwen on the borough council, said she visited the park and was delighted with how it looked.

She said: “Myself and the council’s executive member for environment Jim Smith went to inspect a few of the town parks.

“I’ve got to say I was impressed with the state of Bold Venture. It was completely spotless.

“I think these signs have made a real difference and the no smoking ones which have been placed by the playground.”

The playground at the park had been described as ‘almost unusable’ in 2015 due to vandalism.

The park, which is just off Borough Road, has suffered from people littering in the past, particularly around the lake where visitors feed the ducks.

At the latest meeting of the friends group, committee members said there continues to be a rat problem.

Cllr Dave Smith, leader of the town council's parks committee, said: “I would urge people to avoid feeding the ducks because they just end up feeding the rats.”