A sports court in Darwen has been damaged after a bonfire was illegally lit.

The council has shared a picture of the damage left to the outdoor sports court at Olive Lane, after claims young people lit an illegal bonfire.

The fire has severely damaged the court and the council said it is facing a huge bill to fix the court and clean up the area.

Fireworks were also strewn across the area.

It is against the law to set off or throw fireworks, including sparklers in the street or other public places. 

A council spokesperson said: “The photo shows how council officers have found the outdoor sports court at Olive Lane, Darwen.

“An illegal bonfire has been held by young people on the sports court, which has severely damaged it.

“Fireworks have also been found strewn across the area.

“This will mean that the council will face a huge bill to clean up the area and fix the sports court.

“It is against the law to set off or throw fireworks, including sparklers in the street or other public places. 

“Please help us by sharing this message to raise awareness of the issue.”

This is not the only firework-related issue that took place over the weekend. On Saturday night (November 2), police also seized numerous fireworks from individuals at Rivington, where a public space protection order (PSPO) is in place.

A police spokesperson said: “Police seized numerous fireworks from individuals up at Rivington. We would like to remind people of why the PSPO is in place. This is to prevent the devastating impact that fires can have on Moorland.

“In 2018 fire crews spent 41 days extinguishing the wildfires. The fires had a huge impact on local residents, farmland and of course wildlife. The long-term impact of wildfires is significant, with the destruction of vegetation and their root systems leading to flooding.

“The PSPO Prohibits activities that carry a significant risk of causing wildfires in a designated area. These include the lighting of fires, barbeques, fireworks, sky lanterns and using any article/object which causes a naked flame which poses a risk of fire.”