DUMPING rubbish in a back alley has cost a Darwen woman almost £1,000.

Fateema Dhorat, of Gordon Street, ignored a written warning and an initial fine of £60 after waste belonging to her was found dumped behind her home.

She was fined £525 in her absence by Blackburn magistrates, with additional costs of £420.65 taking the total she must pat to £945.65.

The waste was discovered by council officials on January 20, and checks found a notice had been served on the property three months previously.

Letters were sent to the address, but after no response was received, a £60 fixed penalty was issued.

Miss Dhorat did not pay and, after ignoring a reminder, she was prosecuted by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Sudell councillor Eileen Entwistle has been campaigning about Gordon Street for years.

She said: “It has been a problem for years in the Sudell ward. I am very pleased that someone has been prosecuted, because hopefully it makes an example of the people who fly-tip. It is stupid.”

Darwen Town Council mayor and Sudell councillor Paul Browne said he was delighted.

He said: “Every morning when I go to the paper shop I am picking litter up. I am chuffed the borough council has got its finger out and is getting it sorted.”

Sayyed Osman, borough director of environment, housing and neighbourhoods, said: “Dumping rubbish is filthy, likely to attract vermin and it’s anti-social.

"This sort of behaviour goes completely against the spirit of the Council’s Your Call campaign, which aims to promote the community spirit in abundance elsewhere across the borough.

“Our message is always the same: if you are found guilty you can expect to receive a large fine and be named and shamed in the local press.”