NELSON has been compared to a ‘giant ash tray’ by a senior councillor who has called for improvements to street cleaning.

Coun George Adam, chairman of Pendle Council’s Nelson Committee, said ‘dog ends’ on the pavements were spoiling the town’s image.

And bins chained to a column outside flagship building, Number One Market Street were adding to the town’s image problems, he said.

“The town centre is also the biggest ash tray I have ever seen,” Coun Adam said. “People just throw their cigarette ends down.

“We should have a machine to sweep them up as many of them are being swept into the cracks at the moment.

“It does not create a good image for Nelson.

"We are trying to promote the town but there are cigarette ends all over the place.”

The matter will now be brought to the attention of the council’s operational services department.