BLACKFORD Bridge residents awoke to find a former pub site had become the target for fly-tippers.

Debris covered the cleared ground where the Bridge Inn stood before it was blown apart in an explosion.

And as our picture illustrates, the weight of rubbish has flattened part of the wooden fence around the site.

The Environment Agency is now investigating and warns that the culprits face prosecution -- and a possible £20,000 fine or prison sentence.

Mrs Anne Foran, of Manchester Road, said: "It looks like Beirut. It's an eyesore for motorists and people on the bus travelling past, but particularly for people living here."

Another resident said: "This must have happened in the early hours of the morning. Whoever is responsible looks to have dumped several lorry-loads.

"It could attract vermin and looks absolutely terrible. What is happening to our lovely town?"

The rubbish, containing builders' rubble, plastic and wood, was dumped 17 days ago. Mr Bill Rees, Bury's environmental health manager, said: "We have referred this to the Environment Agency, partly because of the sheer volume of tipping.They will take action against people who illegally dump, as will we."

Mr Rees is urging anyone who sees fly-tipping to co-operate so the council can prosecute.

He said: "If we are going to make a prosecution stick, we need the best evidence available."

The Environment Agency are asking anyone with information about vehicles seen dumping on the site to come forward.

A spokeswoman said: "There have been a number of complaints from people, alleging that they saw vehicles dumping there.

"The problem we've got at the moment is that unfortunately those people who have contacted us don't want to give a statement.

"We've looked at the waste but there doesn't seem to be any evidence within it which would enable us to follow up on the investigation."

Meanwhile, the agency will attempt to identify the land owners at the former pub site in an effort to have it cleared.

Those with information should contact the Environment Agency 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060.

Bury Council also has two phone numbers on which residents can report fly-tipping: 253 5564 or 5578.

The Bridge Inn was destroyed in a gas explosion in 1998 and the wrecked building subsequently bulldozed.