Residents to rally at the river for a clean up in a Chorley village next month

Folk from Hoghton Bottoms in Chorley will get stuck in at the River Darwen which passes through their community.

Clean ups have been carried out by the residents a number of times in previous years.

But the campaign is said to be particularly important this year, given the amount of rubbish dumped and dropped by visitors to the area during Covid-19 travel restrictions, along with the amount of rubbish coming downstream.

The clean up will take place on Saturday, October 3.

Due to Covid-19 it is for residents only and they will be abiding by social distancing instructions.

Resident and community organiser for the clean up, Mike Graham said: "It is lovely how the people are coming together to volunteer their time.

"There is a positive community spirit and it shows how much local residents care about the environment and wildlife.

"There is a lot of plastic along with polystyrene food tray waste and this is found all along the river with much of it subsequently entering the River Ribble and then onward to the sea and despoiling our beaches.

"It is vital that we do something about it rather than just complaining and shaking our heads."

He added: "We are lucky to have the active support of the charity the Ribble Rivers Trust who will be assisting us on the day.

"The waste management company Recycling Lives have also kindly supplied us with a skip for waste."

Helen Smith, Ribble Rivers Trust Community Projects Officer said: "We are delighted to be working with the local residents to remove litter along the River Darwen.

"It is fantastic when communities approach us to help improve the environment in and around our local rivers.

"Unfortunately, this project is necessary due to visitors not treating this beauty spot with respect.

"We hope that increased signage and awareness will encourage visitors to leave the area as they found it, reducing the need for future clean-up events."

Just a few weeks ago Chorley Council launched an investigation after fly tippers blocked a road in the area with a huge pile of waste.

Council officials had to clear up the mess at Marsh Lane, off the B5256 between Brindle and Hoghton, after mattresses, bedsheets and other general rubbish were dumped in the middle of the road, causing a road block.

A resident, who has lived in the Brindle area for 68 years, said: "It is getting worse not only here in Brindle but other rural villages in the area, with local beauty spots like Hoghton Bottoms being trashed and almost overwhelmed. It is not just commercial or household waste being dumped but litter from visitors – you only have to look in the lay-bys and hedgerows along local lanes.

"Sadly the police are not around anymore having a tough enough job just reacting to things at the moment. It is seemingly out of control and I don’t know what can be done. Is it too much for people to simply take their litter home or take things to the tip?”

The dumping of rubbish has plagued the scenic area throughout the Covid-19 lockdown and back in June, residents had to take matters into their own hands by litter picking.

Anyone with information regarding fly tipping can contact Chorley council on 01257 515151 or visit chorley.gov.uk.