SUPER sweeper Joe Fielding is enjoying a brush with success!

Mr Fielding, 55, who works for Blackburn with Darwen Council, has been named runner-up in the Lancashire section of the North West Silver Broom Awards.

The awards are organised by anti-litter organisation The Tidy Britain Group and sponsored by British Aerospace and celebrate the hard work of those who keep the region's streets clean.

Mr Fielding, of Roebuck Close, Bank Top, Blackburn, was nominated for the award by a member of the public.

He started working for the council in December 1988 and currently covers the Brookhouse area of Blackburn.

Ian Drury, technical officer in the council's direct services department, said: "Joe works alone, working diligently in this very hilly area."

Mr Fielding was due to be presented with an engraved trophy and a certificate today from Blackburn Rovers chief executive, John Williams, at a lunch at Ewood Park.

Tidy Britain Group regional director David Smith said: "Street cleaners play a vital role in keeping our environment free of litter and waste, but they so rarely get the acclaim their hard work deserves.

"I congratulate Joseph and all the other winners and runners-up for all their hard work they have put in this past year."

The winner of the Lancashire section was Dennis Parkin from Lancaster City Council. Roy Pattinson of Allerdale Council in Cumbria took the overall North West Street Cleaner of the Year award.

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