A MOVE to get residents to clean up their act will see two housing estates joining forces to undertake a community clean-up.

Residents from the Barclay Hills and Griffin estates in Burnley will take part in the first event of Operation Red Card - a council-backed initiative to tackle grot spots.

Led by the Barclay Hills Resident Action Group, action on Tuesday will see Burnley and Pendle community housing workers and community environment officers working together to rid an area known as the Brook of rubbish. They hope fellow residents will join in.

Action group chairman Mary McCann, of Kingfisher Bank, said: "The Brook divides the two estates so we have tried to get everyone working together. We are looking forward to Tuesday and making everything look clean and pleasant for people.

"If we can get the Brook clean, we can look round the estate and see what else needs to be done. It is a beautiful area and we need to make it an estate to be proud of."

Eugene Dennison, scheme leader for the council's community warden service, is urging people to be aware of the effects of dumping rubbish.

"I know the area well and rubbish has been a constant problem for residents.

"Clean up work has started and the area is already quite a lot better than it was. People used to dump settees, beds and other furniture.

"An aim of the exercise is to raise the issues of rubbish with residents and how easy it is to do something about it."

Red Card will name and shame and issue spot penalties to anyone caught dropping litter, fly-tipping and people allowing their dogs to foul in public. Graffiti and abandoned cars will also be blitzed in the year-long scheme.

Coun Linda Gauton, executive member for public protection and community safety said: "The clean up shows people care about the future off their environment and they are not prepared to live, work and play in an area blighted by rubbish."

Anyone wishing to participate in the event should meet in Padgate Place at 10am. Free breakfast and lunch will be available.