AN ABANDONED caravan overflowing with rubbish has been dubbed a ‘dangerous fire hazard’ by fire safety officials.

The tourer caravan was dumped in a layby in Finnington Lane, Feniscowles, more than a week ago.

The back of the vehicle has since been destroyed, allowing the large collection of rubbish inside – including glass bottles and electrical wiring – to spill out on to the roadside.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: “As well as being an eyesore, this is definitely an invitation for any arsonists in the area.

“It’s a huge flammable vehicle in a fairly remote area and it is definitely the sort of thing that if someone were that way inclined, would look like a good opportunity.

“There may be a potential risk from the wiring and battery, if there is a battery inside, but the biggest concern is arson.

“We find up and down the county that abandoned cars are an open invitation to an arsonist so the sooner it is removed, the better.” Pat Salter, from Lower Darwen, helps out at her brother’s burger van which is regularly parked in the layby.

She said: “I’ve told the council about it and they said they would get in touch with vehicle licensing about it and get it removed but nothing’s been done.

“Yesterday morning my brother saw a tramp sleeping in it. It’s very worrying that someone could come and set fire to it and there could be someone sleeping inside.

“My brother has rung the council about it a few times and so have the men that come and empty the bins around here but still nothing has been done.

“I don’t understand why they couldn’t remove it sooner because it seems to me to be very dangerous.”

Chorley Council, which looks after the area, confirmed they had received reports of the abandoned caravan but that they were not intending to involve the police.

Coun Adrian Lowe, who is responsible for the removal of abandoned vehicles, said: “Unfortunately, the caravan could not be removed straight away because we had to do some to checks with the DVLA to see if it had been abandoned. We’ve now had that confirmation through and it will be removed in the next few days by Recycling Lives on our behalf.”