A NEW campaign has been launched to stop Blackpool town centre becoming a cesspool of rubbish.

Illegal dumping of bags, rubble, furniture and other rubbish is causing a potential health hazard to residents.

And the refuse-ridden back streets of the Talbot and Brunswick wards in the resort are being targeted by a hard-hitting campaign that aims to educate and prosecute the offending parties.

Eight so-called hot-spots have already been identified and include the back streets of Milbourne Street, Elizabeth Street, Grosvenor Street and Platt Street.

The "Squeaky Clean" campaign is being run in partnership with the Talbot and Brunswick Community Association (TABCA), the Blackpool Environment Action Team (BEAT), the Environment Agency and Blackpool Borough Council.

The campaign's primary aim is to raise awareness of the potential health risks associated with the illegal rubbish dumping to the rear of the identified streets.

Assistant principal environmental health officer for Blackpool Dave Rothwell said: "We decided the rubbish was collecting because of two main reasons.

"One was that a large number of black bags were being put out by residents before collection date and the other that people from outside the area were dumping rubble and furniture in these back streets.

"We decided that part-education and part-prosecution was the best way forward and we intend to circulate letters to the residents containing collection times and are hoping to install CCTV in the near future to catch and prosecute the people who are illegally dumping the rubbish.

"We have also put stickers up on all lamp posts in the area warning of a potential £20,000 fine."

Asked about potential health risks he replied: "They are a very real threat. Food waste for example can quickly decompose and smell and also attracts many of our four-legged friends -- even rats are possible."

Chairman of BEAT, Coun Roy Fisher, emphasised the point that it was as much the public's duty as the council's to keep the resort clean.

He said: "A similar campaign in Burnley is achieving huge success in tackling their associated problems.

"The issue of fly-tipping and the dumping of rubbish in the town cannot be resolved by the council alone -- everyone has a duty to ensure that their local environment is kept clean and safe, now and for future generations."

If you would like to join BEAT, please contact Sue Garlick on (01253) 477120.