‘UNSIGHTLY’ overgrown grassed areas and patches of weeds are set to be targeted more often thanks to a funding boost.

Cuts to Hyndburn Council's public realm budget allocated by County Hall bosses meant the upkeep of green spaces had to be cut back dramatically.

Following the cuts councillors said they had received complaints from residents about the appearance of the borough.

Now Town Hall bosses said the budget was being 'reinstated' and they would be able to attend to green spaces on behalf of Lancashire County Council more often.

Cllr Ken Moss, cabinet member for parks and open spaces, said grass cutting was being carried out to meet minimum requirements, but he now hoped to see it increase.

He said: “I’d like to see the grass being cut once every month.

“It was down to the minimum possible before which was two or three times a year, it’ll certainly be going up now.

“We simply didn’t have the money to cut certain areas as much as we would like and quite understandably this led to complaints from residents.

“The knock-on effects were unsightly areas, increased flytipping and pet fouling.”

‘Public realm’ areas include spaces, which the borough council does not own but maintains for an annual fee on behalf of the county council, such as roadside verges, trees and grassed areas.

Weed killing will also double in Hyndburn, taking place twice a year instead of once.

The funds are coming from a budget amendment of around £600,000 for grass cutting across East Lancashire.

County Cllr Peter Britcliffe criticised the administration at County Hall last year for withdrawing funds for weed killing.

He said: “I’m delighted therefore that the new Conservative Administration is restoring these monies, which will really help to solve the problem of overgrown weeds and grass.

“The weeds really have been a nightmare.

“It will help to restore civic pride in the area.”

County Cllr Geoff Driver, leader of the county council, said: “The reinstatement of cuts to the public realm budget was one of my administration’s pledges in the recent county council elections.

“The budget will be reinstated as soon as possible.”