A UNIQUE scheme to tackle a borough's flytipping problem has been devised - using scarecrows.

Youngsters in Huncoat have been creating the eight-foot tall figures, which are going to be placed in some of Hyndburn's worst dumping hot-spots.

It is hoped that the sight of the scarecrows will put off potential litter louts. Along with the scarecrows will be signs reading: "We are watching you."

Last year the borough was named as one of the dirtiest in the North West and a series of measures have been brought in to tackle the issue.

Environment charity the Prospects Foundation, along with the Huncoat Youth Project, came up with the plan to beat the dumpers. And other youth clubs in the area have asked Huncoat if they can have a go too.

Donna Neeley, from the charity, said: "The project was initially about getting the children to focus on their ideas of what the Earth would be like in the next 15 years, but as it developed we decided to focus on environmental art to benefit the community."

The scarecrows will be placed around the village and surrounding areas that have been a problem for fly-tipping in the past.

They are going to be particularly focused in the Within Grove area of Huncoat where the youth project is based.

Sharon Connery, from the project, said: "We have already had interest from other youth groups who want to borrow the scarecrows and we haven't even put them up yet!"

Earlier this year thousa-nds of litres of suspected toxic chemicals were dumped at a notorious fly-tipping site in Huncoat's remote King's Highway.

Last year Hyndburn was named as having East Lancashire's filthiest streets in tables compiled by GMB union with figures provided by local authorities to the Audit Commission. Hyndburn Council has pledged to clampdown on fly-tipping.

And this week the council launched a "neater streets" campaign urging people not to drop litter and take pride in their town. Coun Peter Clarke said: "Some people throw away cigarette ends, crisp packets, fast food packagi-ng and even more bulky items without a backward glance. These selfish people are costing the borough's council tax payers a vast amount of money to clear up after them."