WORRIED grandmother Freda Jackson is calling for urgent action to clear up a overgrown patch of waste ground which she fears is a health hazard and danger to local children.

The 78-year-old from Peronne Crescent, Intack, in Blackburn, said the patch of land beyond her house had become a ‘dumping ground’ covered in brambles attracting vermin.

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Already Twin Valley Homes has strimmed and cleared part of the land belonging to them, but now Mrs Jackson wants Blackburn with Darwen Council to finish the job.

She said: “I have taken this up with Twin Valley, from whom I rent my home, and the council but no-one seems to want to clear this last piece of land before the garages off Accrington Road.

“They keep passing the buck.

“This is unsightly, an eyesore and health hazard and danger to children.

“I have had rats in my back garden because people just come and fly-tip rubbish there.

“It’s covered in brambles and when I went out with my secateurs to cuts some of it away I scratched my hands and arms.

“My grandchildren – Leon aged four and Courtney aged two – come round and if they get out of my garden on to this wasteland they could get hurt.

“I rang the council and they said it was private land.

“We don’t care who sorts it out, we just want something done.”

Blackburn with Darwen deputy environment boss John Roberts said: “I am aware of this and will contact Mrs Jackson.

“I will speak to officers and get it sorted out.”

Shadsworth with Whitebirk councillor Tony Humphrys, said: “I shall go out there and see what can be done to clean it up and keep it cleared up.”

A spokesperson for Twin Valley Homes said:“We are concerned that Mrs Jackson remains unhappy with the continued illegal and extremely unwelcome fly-tipping adjacent to her home.

“We’re keen to work with Mrs Jackson, other residents and Blackburn with Darwen Council to identify the culprits.”