TWO residents have been fined for leaving rubbish in their back yards.

Peter Hepworth, 26, was fined £660, with £286 costs and £184 victim surcharge after environmental officer found foul-smelling rubbish at the back of his home in Manchester Road, Haslingden on Feb 7.

Mr Hepworth was issued a notice under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, but when he did not clear the waste, it was left to the council to do.

Lindsay Jones, 39, of Rochdale Road, Ramsbottom pleaded guilty of failing to comply with notices to clear her back yard, forcing the council to do it themselves. Environment officers had told her to remove a bed and sofa amongst other rubbish outside her home.

Both were found guilty at Burnley Magistrates' Court, and Mrs Jones was fined £120, with £100 costs and £184 victim surcharge.

Cllr Jackie Oates, Rossendale Council's Portfolio Holder for Operations, said: "This type of behaviour is not acceptable. Rubbish like this can attract and harbour pests and make life a misery for neighbours. Cleaning up after people like this is also a drain on our resources and we would much rather spend council taxpayers’ money on other things.

"I am pleased at the level of these fines which I hope will serve as a deterrent to others. We will also continue to take legal action where appropriate if people refuse to comply with warnings to clean up their act."