RESIDENTS on an Oswaldtwistle street say they are fighting a 'losing battle' against fly-tipping.

Land off Albert Street has become a magnet for rubbish being dumped there for the past 18 months.

Cllr Sara Britcliffe, who represents the St Andrews ward, is campaigning for the council to get involved and help clear the issue.

She said: "I have been told that the owner does not have the land any more and and it has been passed to the Duchy of Lancaster.

"They won't spend money to clear it up and this was an issue when I was going for election last year.

"It is happening all the time with rubbish being dumped there.

"I understand it can be difficult to keep the land clear but some of the residents have volunteered to put some fencing up so it cannot be fly-tipped on.

"The residents should not be having to clear this up."

A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It is really bad and is a mess.

"We have keep clearing the land all the time and we did it last week then someone else comes and dumps rubbish on it.

"There is lots of rubble on there from a couple of years ago but the kids go on there and you worry about them getting injured.

"There are mattresses, full pool liners, loads of bin bag and then lots of plastic and paint.

"It is next to Foxhill Nature Reserve and it is not nice for people to look at.

"We have asked the council if they will help us to clean it and then we can try to stop it.

"We are looking at CCTV so we can catch the people who are doing it."

Cllr Paul Cox, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services, said: "It is frustrating and disappointing when we as a council offer free bulk good collection and there is no excuse for people just dumping their good at a cost to everyone when the council have to clear it up.

"The land is owned by the Duchy of Lancaster and we are in discussions with them to come to some arrangement to clear it."