RESIDENTS are being urged to take more care of Darwen after a councillor said some areas were beginning to look like war zones.

Councillors claim that many people are dumping rubbish in back streets because they lack patience to wait for refuge collectors to remove it from their garden on their regular rounds.

They say this mess builds up over weeks and makes the town look ugly and dirty.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council cleans the back streets in some parts of Darwen up to eight times a year, and prosecutes anyone they can prove has been fly tipping.

Additionally, the council also promises to clean a back street within five days if someone complains.

Coun Paul Browne, of the Sudell ward, said people regularly complain to him about the litter problem and that he had 'lost patience' with it.

He said people needed to be more aware of the refuge collection policy, and suggested the council produce a leaflet to inform residents of it.

He added: "People are entitled to live in decent conditions.

"This has been a problem for a while. Part of it is some of the residents' fault for not having the patience to leave their stuff in the yard until the council comes to pick it up. The other is the bin men who won't pick up little bits of stuff when they collect the bags. It builds up and builds up before we have to demand it is cleared. It's not just happening in my ward, but all over town."

Coun Dave Smith, of the Sunnyhurst ward, said: "Some backs streets are a mess, especially around private rented houses. The council doesn't put the stuff in the back streets.

"The council, in some areas, have put in extra services to clean the back streets eight times a year instead of four times. The main thing is for people not to dump rubbish in their back streets. If streets are a mess, people in the council will come and clear it up if they ring."

Councillor Mohammed Khan, executive member for housing neighbourhood services, said: "All adopted back streets in the borough of Blackburn with Darwen are cleaned four times a year.

"In certain areas of the borough this service is increased to eight times a year. Residents can also access the free bulky household waste service at any time during the year by contacting the council, in person, by e-mail or by telephone and the rubbish will be removed from their property within five working days of receiving the request.

"The telephone number for this service is the Cleansing Helpline 01254 585921. This telephone number can also be used to report illicit fly-tipping.

"We urge members of the public to contact ourselves or the police if they see anybody fly-tipping so that the culprits can be reprimanded."