HOUSEHOLDERS have been slapped with fines for refusing to clean up rubbish that has been left littering their gardens and yards.

The residents, including five from Blackburn and five from Darwen, have been ordered to pay a total of £3,734 after they failed to comply with council notices.

Pictures show how the gardens and yards of 10 properties were covered with rubbish, construction waste and animal mess, which created odour issues for neighbouring families.

The offences were reported to Blackburn with Darwen Council between October 2018 and July this year.

Court dates were set for May, July and August but all 10 offenders failed to attend the hearings and were proven guilty in their absence.

All but two of the householders had failed to comply with notices issued in relation to the accumulation of waste in their yards, with one failing to take steps for keeping the land free from rats and mice, and one storing waste in the rear yard.

Councillor Jim Smith, Executive Member for Environment, said: “These prosecutions show that we take the issue of dumped rubbish and littering in the borough very seriously, and people who do this will be caught and prosecuted.

“The vast majority of our residents are law-abiding but, for the minority who choose not to be, we will always take action when responding to reports against anyone who dumps rubbish in our towns.

“It’s damaging to the environment, it’s antisocial, it can be dangerous and it costs money to clean up this rubbish that could be spent on other vital services.

“I hope that this sends a message to those who dump rubbish and litter in our borough.”

Those prosecuted for failure to comply with a notice were:

*Rebecca Bullock of Gordon Street, Darwen - fined a total of £355

*Paul Lister of Britten Street, Darwen - fined £335

*Rita Preston of Tythebarn Street, Darwen- fined £235

*Samantha Jones of Snape Street, Darwen - fined £175

*Kerrie Daley of Newton Street, Darwen - fined £652

*Donna Grant of Moorgate Street, Blackburn - fined £350

*Gayle Forsythe of Kirby Road, Blackburn - fined £418

*Mohammed Malik of Douglas Place, Blackburn - fined £310

*Richard Farren of Dukes Brow, Blackburn - fined £335

*Dean Anthony Simpson of Angela Street, Blackburn - fined £569

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In March nine residents from the borough were slapped with fines totalling £8,000.