A Blackburn with Darwen councillor is due to appear in court later this year following an investigation into fly-tipping at a bonfire.

The Lancashire Telegraph has learned Shear Brow and Corporation ward councillor, Hussain Akhtar, will be in court following the alleged incident at last year’s Witton Park bonfire.

Cllr Akhtar said he couldn't comment at this stage, but did say he had already fully co-operated with the investigation. 

The annual Blackburn bonfire attracts thousands from across the borough and is held next to Witton Park Athletics Arena and took place on Saturday, November 6, to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night.

It featured an impressive bonfire and firework display, along with fairground rides, live music, and a selection of food and drink stalls, with proceeds from the event being donated to local charities.

During the alleged incident, which is thought to have happened prior to the event, a "van load of rubbish" is said to have turned up at the site, with household items dumped next to the bonfire.

Blackburn with Darwen Council did not confirm nor deny whether it was prosecuting Cllr Akhtar due to "strict legal restrictions", but said the borough "takes a strong stance on fly tipping".

A council spokesperson said: “When court action is ongoing there are strict legal restrictions on what information we can share.

"The council takes a strong stance on fly tipping and will prosecute anybody who is suspected of the illegal dumping of waste or rubbish.”

The case is due to be heard at Preston Magistrates' Court in early December.

The revelation of Cllr Akhtar's charge comes after Blackburn with Darwen Council revealed it had raised almost £24,000 in fines after taking three-dozen residents from the borough to court for waste and fly tipping offences.

Of the 36 cases the council took to court, Cllr Jim Smith, the authority's environment boss, said: "We want to make it very clear that the council will not tolerate any sort of waste crime in the borough.

"It’s important to us that residents are proud of their borough and where they live, so we will not accept rubbish being allowed to build up or be discarded and blight our communities."