LITTER is a problem in most English towns.

The situation in East Lancashire has improved in recent years but in some areas it is still at an unacceptable level.

Councillor Paul Browne’s frustration is therefore understandable but he needs to be a little bit more measured in his thinking – and his language.

Making the blanket statement that the people of Blackburn and Darwen are “dirty sods” is a massive generalisation.

Most people are law-abiding citizens and to tar everyone with the same brush is totally wrong.

Coun Browne spoke out after the council was blasted for replacing 10 litter pickers with road sweeping machines.

He said that people were to blame for dropping the litter and it was wrong for the council to be criticised.

There is no doubt that residents have to take responsibility for their actions.

If everyone displayed high levels of civic pride, councils would not have to employ litter pickers.

But that is not currently the case and, until it is, local authorities have no choice but to act.

Litter can have a detrimental effect on an area.

It can result in more rubbish being recklessly discarded and deter people from visiting.

So while the situation is improving, more can and should be done by councils and residents to make our environment even cleaner.

And let’s start by bringing back Blackburn’s litter pickers.