ROGUE parkers have been warned their cars could prevent people's bins being emptied after complaints about litter left in two Darwen streets.

Rubbish in a back alleyway between Cavendish Street and Argyle Street has not been collected for the past two week, leaving an unsightly mess.

Resident Frances Kenary said: "The back alley is filthy. We have wheelie bins but cars park at the bottom of the street so the council say they cannot get up the street to empty them."

Another resident said: "The bins have not been emptied for over a fortnight - it's disgusting. I have phoned the council about it.

"When bins are left like this, it encourages people to just dump things here. We should have a collection every Thursday but it has been a fortnight now."

Coun Eileen Entwistle, of Sudell ward said: "The binmen have been round twice but couldn't get to the rubbish because of the parked cars. Obviously there seems to be a problem with parked cars and something should be done about it."

She added that there was parking behind the shops on the main road and this seemed to be causing the problem.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's director of direct services, Peter Hunt, said: "Our refuse collection team tried twice to gain access to the rear of Cavendish Street and Argyle Street on Thursday, but a car was blocking their entry into the street on both occasions.

"The team will try again but we would urge residents to ensure that their cars do not block access to ensure that their bins can be emptied."