'Ignorant litter louts' slammed after blighting Burnley beauty spot

Burnley Council workers cleared up eight large bin bags worth of litter from the Crown Point picnic area today, including even a chopping board and beach towel.

Concerned resident Joan Gregory contacted the Burnley Express after seeing the mess worried about the impact on nesting birds nearby.

Joan said: "I visited Crown Point this morning and was saddened to see the litter left at such a beautiful spot overlooking Burnley. I saw McDonald's wrappers, just a few days after reopening, strewn on the car park, obviously thrown out of a car.

"Despite having bins up there people were too lazy to put their discarded books and barbecue in them.There was even a chopping board and beach towel left by a picnic bench.

"This is also despite a warning sign being there about the Countryside Act. I hasten to add the signs are facing away from the car park.There is a great habitat for nesting birds up there and it would be so sad to see this destroyed by a minority group of mindless selfish idiots."

The Burnley Express informed Burnley Council who sent out teams to collect the rubbish and also issue a strongly worded statement.

Coun. Cosima Towneley, Burnley Council's executive member for community and environmental services, said: "This is unacceptable behaviour anywhere and the people responsible should be ashamed of themselves. I wonder if those who have done this would fancy rubbish being tipped on their property.

"Needless to say the rest of the borough bears the cost for such irresponsible, lazy behaviour because we have a pride in Burnley which, obviously, these ignorant litter louts don’t.

"The loosening of lockdown shouldn't be open season for mindless and irresponsible littering. We need to respect, preserve and all do our bit to protect our natural beauty spots. Please dispose of your litter responsibly by using the bins provided or by taking it home. No one wants to see your rubbish."