A FURIOUS parish councillor in one of Burnley's most affluent areas today accused the police and borough council of abandoning residents and said: "We will only take so much."

Brenda Lambert, who sits on the Worsthorne-with-Hurstwood committee, hit out after a spate of thefts and vandalism in the village.

And Mrs Lambert, who lives in Ravenoak Lane, said other residents had already revealed their anger during the council elections in May, when a British National Party representative was voted in.

The election of David Edwards in Cliviger and Worsthorne was widely reported as a "protest vote" by people unhappy with the performance of mainstream parties in the town after the Burnley riots in June 2001.

Mrs Lambert said: "I am greatly concerned by policing in the village. In the last week vandalism has increased.

"Two litterbins have been destroyed and several flagstones taken from footpaths. These matters have been reported to the police but to no effect."

The councillor is also unhappy with the level of services provided to residents by Burnley Council.

She said the village lacked a dedicated "beat bobby" and streets were cleaned only once every six or eight weeks.

"This is an example of a rural area being abandoned by both the police and council.

"We pay the highest council tax but receive the worst services. People will only take so much and last May was an example of their anger.

"People in all areas of the town deserve fair treatment, which is not happening."

Inspector Dave Croll, Burnley geographic inspector, said: "Worsthorne is actually one of the safest places to live in the whole of Burnley borough.

"Last month just ten crimes were committed in the area and, while we would agree that even one crime is still too many, that is very little compared with some other areas which suffer many mores per month, some of them serious crimes like burglary and assault.

"Having said that, we realise that litter bin fires, vandalism and youth nuisance are a cause for concern in the village which is one of the reasons why Worsthorne and Cliviger have a dedicated beat manager, PC Glynn Grey." Insp Croll also said police were taking steps to address the problem of stone thefts in the area.

Karen Davies from Burnley Council's environmental health department said: "Worsthorne is definitely not neglected and gets the same level of service as anywhere else, but if anyone with particular complaints can always get in touch."