A COUNCIL may prosecute the owner of a derelict church after the site was said to be a risk to public health.

Notices were served by Hyndburn Council on the owner of the former Sydney Street Methodist Church, Clayton-le-Moors, asking him to clear the rubbish from the premises.

The site was ridden with litter, used as a dumping ground and a wall had fallen.

The owner was given 14 days to comply with the notices but failed. The council cleaned the site just before Easter and are now charging him the costs.

Environmental health officer Colin Clark said the department was also in the process of consulting solicitors and considering prosecution.

He said: "The owner could alleviate the problem by installing high fencing or accept that the site will be littered and clear it periodically. "He should face up to the responsibility, manage the land and be his own caretaker."

He explained: "When someone does not comply to a council notice, the local authority has the power to either proceed to the Magistrate's Court, do the work in default and charge him for it, or both.

"We have done the work and are now deciding if we will prosecute.

"If the situation recurs we will most certainly take further action."

Altham Parish Councillor and prospective county councillor Rennie Pinder said he had attended a public meeting about the problem a week ago.

He said: "Residents may not think that the council is helping but the process has started and I am very grateful they are trying to solve the problem.

"I just wish they could also try to prevent the few unscrupulous people from using it as a tipping site.

"It's causing residents a great deal of heartache."

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