RESIDENTS complained that a landscaped area was a health hazard because of all the rubbish being dumped and prompted a council clean-up.

Mrs Katherine Farrington, 55, said the landscaped area in Greenway Street, Darwen, between Lloyd Street and Dove Street could look beautiful if it was cleaned up.

But it was littered with broken glass, discarded food and household items.

She said: "It's an absolute disgrace, it used to be the site of a reservoir which served a mill and could be an oasis if the rubbish was cleared."

She said the council mowed the grass but never picked up the rubbish.

But the day after the Lancashire Evening Telegraph contacted Blackburn with Darwen Council about the area, it was cleaned up by workers.

Mrs Farrington said: "These landscaped areas are supposed to be for people's pleasure but why can't the litter be picked up every now and then?" Fellow resident Brian Eccles, 58, said: "I've been out there dozens of times just to pick up the litter. It is actually a lovely sun-trap and could be absolutely gorgeous in the summer.

"But I have two-year-old grandson and I would be frightened to death of taking him there. There is broken glass and you've really got to watch where you walk."

Mr Eccles added some of his neighbours had complained they had rats and said something like this obviously attracted vermin.

Mrs Farrington added there had been a big problem with rats in the area about two and a half years ago.

"We were overrun with rats and this is exactly the kind of thing which brings rats in."

Coun Paul Browne of Sudell ward agreed the area was in a "shocking and disgusting state" and said he would be in touch with the council's direct works department to ask them to put signs up warning people not to fly-tip.

A council spokeswoman said they were very keen to catch people who were fly-tipping and they would like to hear from anyone who had information on the matter.