A BACUP business has blasted fly tippers for dumping rubbish which is starting to attract rats, mice and feral cats.

Trevor Harding, owner of Densons Deli, Market Street, Bacup, said the problem of illegal dumping has been getting worse over the past 18 months.

He blames the problem on Rossendale Council, which locks its nearby skips when it is not market day. Mr Harding said: "The market traders have a skip which is for their use only. It is locked when it is not market days, so people are just taking it upon themselves to dump their rubbish next to the skip.

"The rubbish is bringing loads of rats and feral cats which is not very nice.

"We have been trying to get this cleared up, but nobody will do anything about it. It is only the local councillor that seemed to be concerned."

Trevor's mum, Joan, who is joint owner of the business, added: "We should be doing all we can to make this town look presentable to attract people, but all this is doing is driving people out.

"The last thing people want to see is rats and stray cats all over the streets, but the problem seems to be getting out of control. I don't see why the council can't organise to clean the area once a day."

A spokesman for Rossendale Council said environmental health officers were aware that people were dumping rubbish by the side of the skips when they were locked and the council's street cleansing department had been out to clean up.

He said: "Unfortunately as soon as the mess is cleaned up more rubbish is dumped there. We are asking people to report anyone they see dumping waste at the site."

People caught fly tipping can be prosecuted and the council said it would report anyone caught leaving their rubbish at this site illegally to the relevant body.