A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl has made an impassioned plea to Hyndburn Council to tidy a piece of disused land opposite her house.

Georgia-Mae Riley, of Chapel Street, Rishton, wrote to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, after being told by her parents Sean, 36, and Pam, 35, that the council didn't have the funds to clear the rubble, glass and litter.

She said: "Dear Telegraph, please can you help us to tidy up the spare land across from my house. I have nowhere safe to play. We have asked the council people but they said they have not got any money. It's full of rubbish, glass and dog muck. Please, please help."

The land is the former site of a block of 16 council flats that had become rundown and branded "eyesores" and "slums" by neighbours who led a five-year campaign to have them demolished.

After becoming the target for vandals, they were finally pulled down in October 2001 amid talk of using the land for a community centre, play area, garages, a garden, car park or for shops.

Nearly 18 months on the land is still empty and has become heavily littered.

Mr Riley said the site had become a health hazard and he was sick of asking the council for action. "A month after the flats were pulled down things started getting dropped on it," he said.

"We don't allow Georgia-Mae to play on it because it's not safe. It's not just an eyesore, it's a health hazard.

"As soon as the flats came down the council was going to speak to residents about what they wanted. I suggested making part of it into a play area and another part into car parking spaces.

"It's time for action. While there is delay and deliberation the area is getting worse. There's nowhere down this end the children can play.

"We talked to Georgia-Mae about it and asked what she'd like. We keep her informed because it concerns her. She said she wanted somewhere to play and I don't think it's a great deal to ask."

Steve Watson, area council officer for Hyndburn Council, said: "It's a high priority issue for Rishton Area Council. Because we want to meet the community's aspirations it will need a large scheme requiring significant funding. This will need to be from external sources so we will need to work in partnership with community groups."

Any community group interested in applying for funding for a project for the land should contact the area council office on 01254 380106.