RESIDENTS are demanding action after their cars and homes have been left splattered in mud from lorries at a building site.

People living in Mitton Road, Whalley say their street has been turned into a quagmire of clay and mud from lorries leaving the new 300-home housing development adjacent to Calderstones Hospital.

But main contractors, McAlpine's have said they did not realise how bad the situation was and have promised to look into the matter.

Norman Thorpe, 76, who has lived in Mitton Road since 1952 said the housing development site, which began last January, often resembles the Somme battlefield and that the virtually constant stream of lorries taking clay away has made life miserable for all the locals.

"It really has been atrocious along Mitton Road. The soil which is being taken away is thick, heavy clay and is dropping on to the road from lorries, which either have no sheets on them or their wheels are caked in it," he said.

Mr Thorpe added that the problem does not stop on the road, for the pavements are constantly plastered with mud which sticks to shoes and is trailed into their homes, though suggested the contractors did not realise how bad the situation was until it was pointed out.

Even the postman has found delivering letters hazardous after he was showered in mud from a passing vehicle, he said.

"Fortunately, he managed to hide the mail under his coat, but he was covered and was cursing by the time he arrived at my door," said Mr Thorpe.

When the problem became very bad, Mr Thorpe contacted the local borough councillor, Coun Joyce Holgate. She in turn has been in touch with the county council and Ribble Valley Council to see if anything could be done to reduce the nuisance.

Coun Holgate has also requested the borough council to see if there was a condition attached to the granting of planning permission that the road be kept clear while work was going on.

After writing to officials, Mr Thorpe contacted the police and a group of them visited McAlpine's building site. Site manager Kenneth Kenny, said he would write to the sub-contact hauliers and ask them to make sure they use the wheel wash facility, which was already in place, each time they leave the site.

"The last thing we want is for residents to get upset, because it is a long-term project. It is a 300-home site and there are only about 12 houses finished.

"I really did not know the problem was so bad, but I respect what the residents have observed and have promised to do all I can. I have asked them to monitor the the situation for a month and get back to me to see how things are going.

"I have also asked the other building contractor on the adjacent site, David Wilson Homes, to try and minimise the mess. They have permission to use the wheel wash facility each time they leave."

McAlpines have also hired a road sweeper which goes along the road each day between fixed points agreed with the residents and have promised to look at the pavements, which do not get swept.