PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has welcomed new moves to give extra powers to councils to tackle eyesores and environmental blight.

The Clean Neighbourhoods Bill is intended to improve the quality of people's lives by getting action on litter, graffiti, fly posters and burnt out cars.

The Pendle MP said: "Neglecting the local environment creates a sense of unease and that 'nobody cares around here', which can lead to escalating problems of anti-social behaviour.

"The Bill provides enhanced powers for local authorities and the environment agency to tackle local environmental quality and anti-social behaviour.

"And it responds directly to calls from local authorities for improved powers, because they find that current legislation is often difficult to use.

"It also gives powers to parish and town councils so that they too can play a part in making things better."