LOCAL gardeners are being urged to do their bit to prevent autumn flooding problems by being careful in the disposal of leaves and other debris.

Joanne Regan of Rossendale Rivers Initiative at Groundwork Rossendale, said autumn was increasingly a time of misery caused by flooding.

The Mersey Basin Campaign were urging gardeners to reduce those problems by being careful on how they disposed of sacks of leaves and old plants after clearing out their gardens.

She said: "If space is limited it can be tempting to throw them over the back fence thinking they will harmlessly rot away.

"But in this area you are never far away a river or canal. In autumn with increased rainy days leading to high river flows any debris left on the banks can be quickly washed away.

"But it's not out of sight of mind because it can collect creating a dam which then traps man-made debris, such as cans, fast food wrappers and tyres, making flooding more likely."

Garden waste was better disposed of by composting or collection and removal to the local tip.