THE man who aims to clean up Burnley swept into town today and promised high standards.

Gary Bowles, public services general manager for Biffa, the company which has just won a £1.7million-a-year council contract to empty bins and sweep the streets, said he was delighted to be given the chance to deliver a service the firm already provides for nearly one million homes a week.

Council bosses, who dumped former contractor UK Waste in favour of Biffa for the seven-year contract, today promised a wheelie bin for every home in town as part of the deal. The new broom approach should also result in 'significant improvements' in levels of service, say council chiefs.

The contract, based on the Environmental Protection Act and the code of practice on litter and refuse, will, say council managers, require the removal of litter from all locations.

Last night, the Lancashire Evening Telegraph exclusively revealed the High Wycombe-based company had been awarded the contract, which runs from April 1, after beating off fierce competition from five other companies.

Today, Coun Philip Walsh, who was meeting key Biffa managers in Padiham, said: "The new contract offers better levels of service for the residents and businesses of Burnley.

"I look forward to the new working arrangements, which will lead to high standards of cleanliness throughout the town, resulting in a better Burnley for everybody."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.