A RAMSBOTTOM pensioner is cleaning up the town on his own after losing patience with his town council.

Jim Needham, a semi-retired window cleaner, is sweeping the streets every day to protest against the state of the town.

The 66-year-old is hoping to inspire staff at Bury Council, which covers Ramsbottom, and local residents to take pride in their town.

He said: “My wife and I were in Prague three weeks ago, a region which has little money, and the streets were immaculate because people were out cleaning them every day.

“We came back to Ramsbottom, a lovely town, and the streets were just filthy.

“It’s been like this for years and I have contacted the council, but nothing seems to get done.

“I thought it’s time to stop complaining and do it myself.

“I was up at 6.30am this morning to sweep the streets and I will be out again tonight.

“Visitors to the town should not have to see litter all over the place.

"It’s shameful for the people who live here.”

Paul Morris, the owner of The Chocolate Cafe, supplied Jim with drinks while he was sweeping the streets in the hot weather.

He said: “Jim is a lovely guy and I saw that he was sweating buckets this morning when he was out sweeping the streets.

“He is beside himself with the litter in the streets and he is doing something about it, and good for him.”

East Lancashire Railway holds a commemorative war weekend in Ramsbottom this week and Jim is determined to get the streets in shape.

He said: “The biggest problem is cigarette butts and takeaway trays, but people have been saying that they will make extra effort after seeing me on the streets.

“I want the council to do what I’m doing. Ater all, the amount of council tax and business tax they receive is huge.”

Bury Council was unavailable to comment on the issue.