A BURNLEY Wood resident has branded the area 'a war zone' and hit out at his fellow neighbours for failing to take pride in their community.

Derick Pearson, 64, of Reed Street, said he is appalled by the state of the area and has resorted to compiling a file of shame which he plans to present to Burnley Council.

The retired resident has been out in the community using his camera to snap dozens of backyards that are piled up with rubbish.

His concerns have been echoed by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service who say they are inundated with nuisance fires in the area every week.

Station Officer Paul Harvey said: "We get a lot of calls to fires in backyards in Burnley Wood and Daneshouse.

"It is residents' responsibility to ensure that their yards are kept clean and tidy. People come from out of the area to tip their rubbish into empty backyards.

"The problems were made worse when Burnley Council introduced a levy for businesses tipping their waste. The fire reduction team is doing a good job and are helping to combat the problems.

"We identify an insecure property or a back yard filled with rubbish and will flag it up to them and they will take action."

Derick, who lives with his wife Maria, said: "I am appalled by what I have been seeing lately. The mess in some of the yards is just disgusting.

"It's bringing the area down and making it look like a war zone. I cannot understand why the residents of Burnley Wood don't contact the council -- a united voice is better than just one.

"Residents are putting their bins out a day after collection day, leaving them out in the street for six days unnecessarily. They are being set on fire left right and centre costing the council £75 for each one they replace."