A BARNOLDSWICK councillor is calling on Pendle to clean up its act.

Town councillor Jennifer Purcell says rubbish is overflowing on the streets of Barnoldswick and claims the town is getting a raw deal from Pendle.

She said: "I want to know the reason why Barnoldswick is in such a filthy state.

"This town is not getting its fair share of cleansing. What are we paying our rates for?"

Coun Purcell says she has been battling for more than two years with Pendle over the issue of litter.

Eighteen months ago she asked the council to invest in two mechanical sweepers which are hand-held and act as a hoover device.

"They think that one man with his brush and shovel is quite capable, but he is not. We want to see something done for our money," she said.

Coun Purcell has now contacted the council over the recycling bins at the West Craven Sports Centre and the town centre car park, which she says are overflowing.

She said: "Boxes and litter are piled high right to the top. Rubbish is blowing across the car park and into the trolleys. I have a good mind to drag management out here so they can see for themselves.

"What happens if a child goes running round here and falls down? It is now beyond a joke. This is the main car park where visitors park their cars - what would they think?

"I don't see why I should be ringing the council up all the time - this job should be done."

Coun Purcell reported that dog bins throughout the town were also overflowing.

She added: "It is just disgusting."

A spokesperson from Pendle Council's operational services department said work had been slow because of the Christmas period.

She added: "We rely on people telling us the bins are full. If there is any problem with overflowing then we go out and deal with it, but we have had minimum staff because of Christmas. We should be able to get it all cleared straight away."

But Coun Purcell said: "We pay enough rates in Barnoldswick and we should have the proper facilitates.

"Why should the public have to ring the council up and tell them things are overflowing?"