Dangerous fireworks dumped near Mount St Joseph School in Farnworth

The fireworks were left — along with a pile of other rubbish — in a woodland area near Greenland Road in Farnworth.

They were found by local resident Peter Brabin, who regularly reports the dumping of waste in the area.

Mr Brabin, aged 70, said he was particularly concerned at his latest find because it contained unused fireworks, which were found directly next to Mount St Joseph School secondary school.

The fly-tipping campaigner, who lives in Boscobel Road, said: “Unfortunately I often have to report fly-tipping in this area that I have spotted as I walk past every morning.

“But to see fireworks among the rubbish this time was concerning — I think whoever has left them near to a school is very irresponsible.

“It is just plain stupid and really dangerous, anything could happen as the fireworks have not been used.”

Greenland Road has become a hotspot for fly-tippers and Mr Brabin has helped the council to secure a number of convictions against offenders — but the problem persists.

He added: “This was a nice area to walk in but it has deteriorated so badly because of this.

“It is just disgusting, some people clearly have no pride in the area where they live and they are bringing the whole place down.”

Harper Green Ward Councillor Susan Haworth has worked with Mr Brabin previously to try and combat fly-tipping in the area.

She said: “Residents like Mr Brabin really are the unsung heroes of the area because they regularly report these incidents as well as carrying out litter picking activities —they just get on with it and we as a council are very grateful.

“There is no doubt that this particular issue, involving fireworks, will be treated as a primary pickup that will be investigated by the council’s enforcement officers.”

She added: “Greenland Road is a particularly secluded area where there has been a lot of flytipping and there is now work taking place to look at what we can do to prevent this happening.”