CAMPAIGNERS for cleaner streets in Rossendale have been assured council action is under way.

Residents have been calling for a more frequent refuse collection service after changes to the system.

Now campaigners Jackie and Graham Oakes, who have had discussions with the council officers about the uncleanliness of their neighbourhood, in Newchurch Road, Stacksteads, have been told the council will review the situation.

The council received complaints after it changed household rubbish collection times from once a week, to every two weeks, in a pilot recycling scheme late last year.

Residents were issued with recycling boxes, bins and bags. Refuse collectors take household rubbish one week and recyclable products the next.

Councillors have said the scheme should be changed so the bags and boxes are collected every third or fourth week, but normal household refuse should be collected once a week. Jackie, 49, sub postmaster of Stacksteads Post Office, said: "A collection every two weeks is not enough. There are bin bags all over the streets which is attracting rats. I actually found a dead one on Thursday and contacted the council for it to be removed but five days on, it hasn't been.

"It's ridiculous we have to live in such squalor. It's like we're living in Medieval times."

Dave Pascoe, environmental services officer, said: "If we get reports of flytipping or something that's creating a health risk we aim to get to it within 24 hours. I will act on this information and we will look at whether people in the area are using the system properly.

"It's no good people putting rubbish out days before collection. We will review this and if necessary contact offending residents."