VOLUNTEERS are appealing for help to improve community spaces suffering from overgrown grass.

Gayle Knight, creative director at the Civic Arts Centre, is asking for people to get involved with cutting grass at popular summer sites for children in Oswaldtwistle.

She said due to restrictions on the council budget not everywhere can be cut, and encouraged the community to help out.

Some of the worst areas needing help are in Albert Street and in Harvey Street behind Hippings Vale Community Centre, both in Oswaldtwistle, she said.

Ms Knight said: "There are a couple of community areas in Oswaldtwistle where it’s now impossible for children to play on them because the grass is too long.

"We need to find some way of getting this sorted.

"The area on Albert Street has overgrown so much now that you wouldn’t just lose the ball, you’d lose the child.

"It must be a great breeding place for all sorts of wildlife.

"The council does so much and is facing so many cuts, we need to do our bit and come together and help them."

Concerns have also been raised of dog waste being found in the long grass.

An 'Oswaldtwistle in Bloom' group has also been set up to help encourage volunteers to get involved to help keep the area looking 'colourful and fresh'.

Cllr Stewart Eaves, who represents the area on Hyndburn Council. said it is good to see people looking to help.

He said: "The local children used to use it for cricket and football and it's so sad that doesn't happen now.

"We cleaned the rubbish off this land a few weeks ago, it is now dumped on regularly.

"It's a shame the grass and weeds have got so high, it's great to see people taking an interest cleaning up Oswaldtwistle."

Anyone interested in helping should contact Ms Knight or the 'Oswaldtwistle in Bloom' group on Facebook.