A COUNCIL is counting the cost of last night's Hallowe'en celebrations after Pendle Hill was left looking like a "pigsty."

Police were expecting larger than usual crowds to visit the Ribble Valley beauty spot after the lifting of foot and mouth restrictions.

And around 1,000 people visited the hill, leaving a nightmare for council refuse collectors and an estimated £600 clean-up bill.

The hill attracts thousands of visitors every Hallowe'en, due to its historic connection with the Lancashire Witches.

It was closed to the public last year because of foot and mouth restrictions and police were expecting an influx of revellers last night.

Police officers from Clitheroe and Burnley patrolled the hill and a mountain rescue team was on stand-by in case of emergencies.

Sgt Ian Kirk, of Clitheroe Police, said: "It was a busier than usual night, although there was no trouble and everything went well.

"However, the hill is littered with paper cups and rubbish.

"It is a pigsty and how people can leave it like that is beyond me."

Ribble Valley Council chief engineer Graham Jagger said: "There is always a problem of litter left on the hill after Hallowe'en Eve and this year was no different.

"It's a shame that people don't take their rubbish home and the general public will be picking up the tab for the clean-up operation."

Sabden councillor Frank Goss, who is Deputy Mayor of the Ribble Valley, drove over the nick of the hill at about 9pm and was shocked at the mess.

"The hill was very crowded and rubbish was strewn all over the road.

"It was a complete mess.

"We can't stop people coming to Pendle at Hallowe'en, but it's sad that the hill is treated this way."

A five-strong team of Ribble Valley Council workmen was expected to spend the best part of today revamping the popular spot in a clean-up operation costing £600.