COUNCILLORS are calling on the owners of a town centre shop in Padiham to tidy it up.

Handy Stores, in Church Street, was abandoned by the owners after going into administration earlier this year.

It is now believed to be owned by a bank, but councillors want it tidying up.

Coun Kathleen Hudson said: “It looks absolutely terrible, they can never sell it while it looks in that condition.

“It is a mess and is a blight on the town, it brings that area down.

“The residents that live nearby have had problems with youths going into the yard as well and causing problems.”

Councillors are also concerned that the building could represent a fire risk, with the letterbox jammed full of mail.

Coun Hudson: “If a fire started there it would go up very quickly, it is dangerous and something should be done.

“I’ve gone to the post office and asked if they could stop sending the letters but they said it can’t be done and the post box can’t be boarded up.

“I will keep trying to get it cleared up because it could be an accident waiting to happen.”

Town councillors in Padiham contacted the enforcement team at Burnley Council, but they said there is nothing they can do.

Council officers can only step in if the building is deemed to be structurally unsafe, rather than just untidy.

The town council is now looking to clarify ownership of the building so the owner can be contacted directly.