DIRTY nappies, a bath tub and bags of rubbish dumped at an allotment have been described as ‘devastating’.

Concerns over the health of livestock living at the Fennyfold Allotments in Padiham have also been raised due to the persistent flytipping.

Victoria McLean, from the town, who maintains one of the grazing crops at the site, said waste has been dumped there regularly for months.

Mrs McLean, 37, who looks after sheep, ponies, goats and bees on the land with her husband, Alistair, said it was disappointing to see the lack of care for the town’s green spaces.

She said: “It’s worrying because this sort of behaviour attracts rats and other vermin which could potentially hold diseases.

“It’s devastating for the wildlife. Our livestock could be harmed because of the rubbish.

“People come here and look after the allotments as a hobby, but it gets spoilt by this sort of behaviour.

“The smells are awful. It looks like someone has been paid to remove the rubbish and then dump it here.”

Dumping waste is illegal and people found guilty of fly-tipping can be fined up to £50,000 or given 12 months imprisonment under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

Anyone caught illegally dumping waste could soon face an on-the spot penalty of up to £400.

Mrs McLean said: “It’s also a worry for younger people. I wouldn’t want children going near the rubbish.

“We have had problems here before."

The allotments are owned by Burnley Council and are leased out.

A council spokesman said: “The rubbish was reported in the allotments over the weekend.

“We had sent out officers to investigate the site and we will look to remove the rubbish as soon as possible.

“People should always alert the council if rubbish has been dumped illegally on public land.”