FAILING to clear piles of rubbish at the back of a Blackburn home ended up costing its residents more than £1,400.

Patricia Manning and Gavin Wilson of Parkinson Street were ordered by the council to remove and dispose of the waste found close to the rear of their property in a legal manner.

This was not complied with.

Blackburn magistrates ordered Miss Manning and Mr Wilson to pay a total of £1441.30 after they failed to attend court and the matter proved in their absence.

They were fined £400, with a victim surcharge of £40, and required to pay £280.65 costs Blackburn with Darwen council environment boss Jim Smith said: “The vast majority of residents dispose of their rubbish hygienically, and correctly to avoid prosecution and fines, and to help keep their neighbourhoods clean both for themselves, and others.

"Those who do not will be named and shamed in the press, whilst we will also work hard with people through the Your Call campaign to keep our community clean.”