PEOPLE in Blackburn criticised litter droppers, claiming they had let the town go to “rack and ruin”.

Following Coun Paul Browne’s scathing attack, describing Blackburn and Darwen people as “dirty sods”, members of the public agreed most litter problems were caused by general laziness.

However, many said it wasn’t fair to tar everyone with the same brush.

Liaqat Hussain, 46, of Accrington Road, Blackburn, said: “I think it is really bad, the town’s been left to rack and ruin.

"I know the funds are a bit shaky but I do think the council could do more.”

Debbie Turner, 39 from Wisteria Drive in Lower Darwen, said: “I’ve been brought up to put things in bins. I don’t understand people who don’t.”

Gillian Shaw, 48, from Baron Street, Darwen, said there were plenty of bins so people did not have an excuse for littering.

“It’s all down to people not caring and just dropping stuff,” said Shanhoon Hussain, 22, from Whalley Range: Heath Riley, 43, from Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle, added: “I think takeaways have to take some responsibility because you see a lot of wrappers and cartons.”

Marie Moran, 48, from West End, Oswaldtwistle, said there were also problems with dog dirt while Dominika Bubala, 19, from Mill Hill said people did not make enough effort to clean up.

“People just seem to be very lazy. If they want their neighbourhoods clean, all they have to do is start using a bin,” said Zofia Bubala, 48, from Mill Hill.

Shirali Parekh, 19, from Whalley Range, Blackburn, said: “The same people who drop litter seem to be the same ones who spit in the street. It’s disgusting.”

Sobia Kausel, 19 from Romney Walk, Blackburn, said: “You see people just throwing stuff out of their car windows all the time — why don’t they wait till they get home?”

“It’s getting worse because people are lazy and have no respect for the town. They can’t be bothered to use a bin,.” said Julie Alker, 45, from Pringle Street, Blackburn.

But Joe Belshaw, 21, from Wilpshire, said: “Rubbish is a problem but I think it’s the same in every town.”

And Jonathan Hodgson, 21 from Rishton, said: “Litter is a problem but it’s not the biggest issue is it?” he said.

Zakir Kotia, 37 of Furness Avenue in Blackburn said: “There may be some people throwing litter but it’s not everyone and you can’t judge all of Blackburn by a few people.”

Amad Ashraf, 31, of West Park Road, Blackburn, said: “It’s not just the council’s responsibility It’s everyone’s. It leads to rats and disease.”

His call to share responsibility was echoed by Matthew Maden, 16 from Oswaldtwistle.

Rachael Entwistle, 36, Nansen Road, Blackburn, said: “I think people are scruffy. They throw stuff on the floor without a second thought.”

James Rogers, 23, from Dukes Brow, said: “It’s wrong to say it’s everyone doing it because it’s not.”

Rebecca Horrocks, 16, from Clayton Le Moors, said: “There is a lot of litter here but I wouldn’t say all people in Blackburn are dirty sods.”

Susan Hoyle, 44, from Helmshore, said: “I know lots of people from Blackburn and Darwen who aren’t dirty and it’s wrong to say everyone is.”