OFFICIALS are monitoring a carpet firm after residents living nearby complained about smoke from burning rubbish and debris.

Residents said that Causeway Carpets in Roe Lee Mill Industrial Park, Blackburn, started burning trees and demolishing buildings to clear their site twelve months ago.

Company bosses have said they have worked closely with the fire brigade and that rebuilding work on the site could create new jobs.

But environmental health officers from Blackburn with Darwen Council today warned that the firm could face legal action if the burning was a nuisance.

Father-of-four Chris Adams, 38, of Cranshaw Drive in Plackgate, said: "I have young children and as soon as you open the door the smoke comes in the house. Everyone is really fed up with it."

But Blackburn with Darwen Council confirmed that there was no statutory nuisance when the site was checked.

Kenny Duncan, director of Causeway Carpets, said: "We contact the fire brigade when ever we burn anything so that residents do not get unduly concerned and we are not aware of any complaints to date and would invite anyone to come up to the site to discuss it."

There is no end date for the work but Mr Duncan said it would be completed "as fast as possible with the "best efforts to keep it under control".

"There is every chance when the work is finished that more badly needed jobs will be created."

Coun Maureen Bateson, executive member for citizen and consumer rights, said: "The Council's Environmental Health Unit has recently received two complaints regarding burning at Roe Lee Mill.

"On each occasion, council officers have visited the complainants in order to discuss the problem and witness the potential for a Statutory Nuisance. Subsequent visits have been made to Roe Lee Mill where the matter has been raised with the company on site and their contractor.

"Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, an Abatement Notice can be served on persons causing a smoke nuisance to nearby neighbours. The company involved has been informed in writing of the legislation and warned that should a Statutory Nuisance be witnessed, legal action will be taken.

"People who are concerned should contact the Council's Environmental Health Service on 01254 585475."