GORDON Prentice is calling on Pendle Borough Council to increase spending on street cleaning.

Figures for 2008/2009 show Pendle’s spending per head is second bottom in East Lancashire, with only the Ribble Valley spending less.

The figures also show Pendle spent nearly 50 per cent less than neighbouring Burnley and 75 per cent less than Rossendale, who came top in the area.

MP Mr Prentice said: “Pendle’s street cleaning expenditure this year has gone up slightly, but when I am out and about I see streets in many parts of the borough in a dire state. So I am delighted the scrutiny management team is looking at the whole issue. The scrutiny team should call on the council to increase street cleaning spending to at least the same level as Burnley’s.

“I am in touch with the Environment Secretary urging him to implement the recommendations of the Council for the Protection of Rural England’s Litterbugs report. It makes many key suggestions such as reinvigorating the Keep Britain Tidy campaign and greater consistency in penalties for littering.”