PLANK Lane residents have launched a petition in a bid to rid the area of what they claim is a "blot on the landscape".

They allege buildings and land on the Leigh side of the canal bridge are dangerous eyesores.

But Alastair Dubbeldam, who owns former pubs the Britannia and the Grey Horse near the swing bridge, fears there is a vendetta against him and has hit back saying no-one has been to him to complain about his property.

Petition organiser, Nevison pub landlady Sheila Burgess, said: "Everyone complains about the mess at the bridge but no-one does anything about it. I am ashamed of directing people into town that way.

"The awful site of dilapidated buildings is the first impression people coming in from Golborne and Lowton get of Leigh. They are a disgrace.

"If the area was given a facelift and cleaned up it could be absolutely beautiful. It's no wonder Plank Lane has such a bad name.

"The countryside around here is lovely now and we would like to see the canal side area improved.

Look dangerous

"The owner claims the material he stores is recyclable, it has been there for over five years that I know of, so why doesn't he recycle it to the nearby tip?"

Mr Dubbeldam said: "It's very strange that on Sunday someone was spotted knocking the chimney off the former Grey Horse, I presume to make it look dangerous. The culprit was caught and after police came he handed over to me a £100 cheque for the damage.

"I've also had the Council's environmental health people sent down because people think I run a scrap yard -- I don't.

"I've been here for 40 years and the buildings are just like they were when the pit was here over 10 years ago.

"I've not done anything to offend anyone. I own the land on which my vehicles are parked and it is up to me what I do on it. I don't make any noise or smell, nothing runs out, I don't harbour vermin or drunken idiots.

"No-one has come to me and said they don't like the state of the place.

"There's a mud hole in front of my place but I'm not responsible for it. Rainwater collects because of the poor road surface and mixes with the dirt which comes off the convoy of lorries carrying material from Ramsdale's Tip.

"And any vehicles and trailers parked on the old pit land on the canal side of Plank Lane have nothing whatever to do with me."

Local councillor Barbara Jarvis said she would investigate.