A FATHER of a young child is demanding action against a nearby "health hazard" for which no one is taking responsibility.

David Hayhurst (pictured) said an alley close to the street where he lives is littered with rubbish including broken bottles.

He says he has also found discarded syringes that have possibly been used for drug-taking.

He told Blackburn with Darwen Council about the the alley, at the back of Lawrence Street, Blackburn, but officers said they would not touch it because it doesn't belong to the council.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said although it was aware of the problem, as an unadopted stretch of highway it was up to residents to keep the area tidy.

"There seems to be a long-standing problem at that stretch and we have had a number of complaints about the alley and letters have been sent out to residents reminding them that dumping litter is an offence," said a spokesman. "But we can't clear it because it is private land."

However Mr Hayhurst said arguments of ownership should be put aside for the sake of youngster's safety.

"It's an eyesore and is very dangerous to all the kids that play round there," said 24-year-old Mr Hayhurst who lives on nearby Higher Bent Gap. "That alleyway is the only access we have to our houses and somebody is going to get hurt if they fall.

"The council has the binmen and the resources and they have to come past there and I think they should do it."

Ward councillor Kate Hollern backed Mr Hayhurst's calls for the alley to be cleared. "It is totally unacceptable especially as little kids play there," said Coun Hollern, who used to live on Lawrence Street.

"I will be asking technical services to visit the area and clean it up and then we will talk to residents about the problem."

Mr Hayhurst has lived at his address for nearly two years and said the problem is getting worse. He fears for the safety of his two-year-old boy Brandon.

"He doesn't play out yet because he's only two but he will be doing soon and it needs sorting," he said.

"I'm thinking of the other kids round here as well."