BURNLEY is set to make a clean sweep thanks to a £150,000 cash boost which will create four new jobs to help improve the environment.

The money from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund will pay for a community liaison officer, two community workers and a technical support officer to work in the town for a year.

Their roles will be to help improve streets and public spaces as part of the recommendations set out in the Audit Commission's report Street Scene last March.

They will support partner organisations to work with local residents to find new and innovative ways of tackling street litter, fly tipping, graffiti and vandalism.

The team will have access to a core projects fund which can be used for clean-ups, extra bins and skips as well as providing incentives for local residents to become involved in their community.

Andrea Lenskey, senior environmental health officer, said: "We have only recently learnt that the bid was successful. The four new posts will mean whoever is appointed will work with the community in an educational capacity.

"The community officers will work to develop high profile initiatives to discourage irresponsible and illegal behaviour, for example by assisting with preparing evidence for prosecutions of offenders and fixed penalty notices.

"They will also tackle the problems from a more positive, education and awareness raising angle. They will work closely with a wide range of relevant organisations, community groups, schools, young people to develop waste reduction and recycling activities, encourage community clean ups, offer awards schemes and provide diversionary activities such as arts and sports programmes to support work to improve local environments."

Councillor Peter Kenyon welcomed the funding and said: "All to often we hear negative stories about children and litter but lately I heard about one youngster who saw her mother dropping litter and ordered her to pick it up. This should be commended and just shows that educating children about the environment does work."