A DARWEN councillor has urged people to take more care of their neighbourhood so a massive cash boost to the area will count.

Coun Derek Brindle, who represents the Sudell Ward, was delighted to hear that his campaigning had led to £300,000 of Government cash being allocated to improvement work on public places in Olive Lane.

But he said it was now up to the people in that area to help make the most of the regeneration cash by being more vigilant about keeping their own property and surroundings tidy.

And he pointed to the discovery of a huge pile of discarded furniture in the Olive Lane area.

He said: "As I was walking round I saw that there were four huge mounds of household furniture and rubbish in the back alley behind Olive Lane. I have arranged for it to be removed but people shouldn't be dumping it in the streets.

"Myself and Coun Eileen Entwistle try to get round the ward and we report rubbish if we see it, but residents need to do the same.

"The thing is, we delivered newsletters to the houses in this area recently which has a number on it that people can ring to get rubbish removed.

"All this money is coming into the area now to make it look nicer so we are asking people to try to help us by getting their household items removed and reporting it to the council if they see any rubbish dumped in the street.

"They just need to be a bit more vigilant."

Resident Frank Crompton, of Lightbown Street, Darwen, described the mound of rubbish as 'an eyesore'.

He said: "I regularly drive past or walk past to the shop and it is a real eyesore.

"When people are coming and visiting Darwen, something like this doesn't look nice, does it?

"I have never seen a bigger pile of rubbish anywhere in Darwen. It's disgraceful. There are toys piled up, rugs and mattresses.

"It would take half a day to remove all that."

Anybody wanting furniture or large items removing should ring 01254 585921.