BOLTON’S UKIP chief has called on town hall chiefs to take action after branding the upkeep of a war memorial “a disgrace”.

Cllr Sean Hornby has written to Council leader Linda Thomas and interim director of place Gerry Brough to demand the weed-strewn area at the front of Little Lever Library, in Coronation Square, be tidied up.

In a letter to the two bosses, Cllr Hornby — who represents Little Lever — said: “I would ask that action is taken immediately to rectify this and the grounds including the sides are maintained to a standard which matches other areas where we have a cenotaph, such as Bolton town centre.”

Council chiefs have apologised, but say grass has grown very quickly due to with the unseasonable warm dry weather recently.

Cllr Hornby believes the matter should be addressed as a matter of urgency.

He told The Bolton News: “I thought it was so important the leader of the council needed to be aware. It’s not the second time we have complained, it is the second time, year on year, so we have had to have a go.

“Last year we spent about £5,000 doing it up and putting the silhouettes there. There’s overgrowth that’s been there for some time, I’ve asked in the past to remove it, but it’s still there.”

“It’s disrespectful , the war memorial was partly paid for by the people of Little Lever and Lancashire County Council to commemorate people that died in the First World War.”

A council spokesman said: “Unfortunately due to the conditions we have had this year grass cutting has been particularly challenging, and we apologise for any upset that has been caused.

“We will be cutting the grass at the cenotaph on Wednesday. A combination of incredibly wet conditions throughout March and April, significant snow mid-March and the unseasonable warm dry spell has impacted on our usual schedule.