‘Shocking’ amount of litter on Great Harwood juniors’ football pitch

Barbara Sharples, who is heavily involved with Hyndburn’s environmental charity The Prospects Foundation, said she was “taken aback” by the amount of litter on the Windsor Road Recreation Ground.

MORE TOP STORIES:

She said: “This area is certainly not looked after by users, including the people who use the children’s play area and some residents.”

The open space, one of 11 recreational grounds owned and maintained by the council, is used all year round by youngsters throughout the area.

Barbara said she now plans to take the issue up with local councillors after spotting the rubbish while walking across the rec on Thursday.

Local councillor, Kerry-Anne Molineux, who covers the Overton ward and represents Labour, said: “We do get round the area and tend to see these things but if we get contacted by a resident we try and get it dealt with. But I had not heard anything.

“I know the litter problem gets worse over Easter because the kids are playing out and they tend to be in that area – but there are plenty of bins and it’s not something I have noticed.”

Cllr Molineux added: “We will send one of our clean-up teams to go down and have a tidy up.”

Her fellow councillor, Gareth Molineux, who also represents Overton, added: “We have been aware that over the last few years, Windsor Road has been subjected to a lot of anti-social behaviour which with it usually brings a lot of litter.

“We have worked with the Community Payback team to tidy this area in the past.

“We are hopeful that bringing new five-a-side pitches to the area will not only provide the leisure trust with a fantastic asset but will also deter anti-social behaviour and irresponsible dog owners.”

The all-weather pitches will entertain youngsters within the next 12 months after councillors agreed to fund work to build them near the town’s health centre and close to Mercer Hall Leisure Centre.

The plans were revealed after councillors agreed funding worth £225,000.