NEIGHBOURS are celebrating after a man was told to move caravans he had left parked on a street for more than two years.

But owner David Rowlands said the council was "making a big deal about nothing" and that he had never received a complaint about the caravans outside his parents' home in Primrose Street, Darwen.

Under an order granted by magistrates, Blackburn with Darwen Council can remove and dispose of the caravans.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the authority will store the caravans for seven days before they are disposed of, to give Mr Rowlands the opportunity to reclaim them.

Unemployed Mr Rowlands, 30, of Franklin Street, Darwen, said: "The council said they were causing a nuisance. I don't think that's true - they're making a big deal about nothing.

"I was fixing one of the caravans up and eventually wanted to go on holiday. I was using the other for spare parts and I was going to get rid of that one."

Simon Littler, of Capita Property Consultancy, told the court strenuous efforts had been to persuade Mr Rowlands to remove the vehicles which were obstructing the footpath on one side of the street and presented a hazard to pedestrians.

"The chances of someone being hit by a vehicle are greatly increased by the presence of these caravans," said Mr Littler.

He revealed the Council had given Mr Rowlands a week to remove the caravans but when the deadline came he made threats towards officers.

Neighbours in Primrose Street said they were delighted. Kevin Sanson, 26, an engineering technician, said: "At one point I stopped paying my council tax for a couple of months because I didn't see why I should when people are allowed to park their caravans wherever they like.

"The caravans have caused a lot of inconvenience. My car has been hit by a lorry that could not manoeuvre properly because they were taking up too much space."

Margaret Hine added: "I'm very happy they're going. It's bad enough around here without having to see eyesores every day."