A MUM-of-three says she cannot let her children play in the alley behind their house because there is so much rubbish there.

Yasmin Flannery, of Hancock Street, Bank Top, Blackburn, said the rubbish - some of it left behind when the bins are collected - smells and is attracting flies.

She said she has reported the problem to Blackburn with Darwen Council but no action has been taken.

Yasmin, 25, said: "You name it, it's there. There are bins knocked over, glass bottles smashed and dog poo.

"It stinks, especially in this hot weather. There are flies everywhere."

She added she did not want to let her children, Dale, four, Charlotte, three and 18-month-old Ashley, near the back lane.

Yasmin says the bins are being emptied regularly but a lot of rubbish is being left behind each time.

"It has been like this for three or four weeks now. I can't let my kids play out."

A spokeswoman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said the council has a policy of prosecuting fly-tippers who dump rubbish illegally and would take action if fly-tipping was reported to them.

She said: "This rubbish was reported to the council last week and is due to be cleaned up."

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