'˜Don't tell us '“ we reported it'

David Gregson and many others on Gamble Road, Thornton, will receive the warning from Wyre Council, which says the alleyway behind their homes was in such a state it was a “detriment to the amenity of the area”.

Despite not owning the alleyway, Wyre Council removed the waste as a “gesture of goodwill” but David is furious at being labelled as one of the culprits.

He said: “I take pride in my house and so do my neighbours. I always get rid of any waste as soon as possible and I’ve always said if I saw someone on my road dumping their things in the alley I would turn them in. I’ve reported the fly-tipping and even offered to pay for CCTV to catch the people doing it, so it’s a disgrace that I’ve been given this warning.”

In the letter, Wyre says the warning comes under the Ant-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act which requires residents to dispose of their waste responsibly or pay the cost of the work undertaken to remove the waste or a £2,500 fine.

Wyre also says despite removing the waste this time, it will not continue to do so.

And although the letter says the council knows many residents within the area dispose of their waste correctly, David feels he has been “slapped in the face”.

“I’m trying to help the council so I’m disgusted about getting this letter,” said the 41-year-old. “There’s often sofas, and bits of fence in the alley and something needs to be done to catch the people dumping it because it’s making the area we live in look a state. I’m more than happy to work with the council but to be blamed for the mess is not right because I’ve always taken pride in my home.”

A spokeswoman for Wyre Council said the letter had gone to all residents in the area in relation to on-going fly tipping problems that have been raised.

She added: “We want to encourage people to work with us as ambassadors and help ensure the area stays free from fly tipping, whether it be from residents in the street or from external parties, and to generally improve the alleys aesthetically.

“We are also exploring ways of working with private landowners and registered landlords to collectively look at addressing the wider issues which we recognise are affecting local residents.”