BROKEN glass, dirty nappies and household waste are blighting a play area and surrounding fields.

And one resident in the Higher Croft area of Blackburn said his Labrador-cross, named Diesel, has been limping for the past week after a piece of glass sliced open his foot.

Roy Houghton, 47, of Sunnybank Road, said that he and other residents were afraid to take their grand- children and chi-ldren into the playground, in Manxman Road, for fear they will hurt themselves on glass.

Residents met on Monday night to discuss the issue, when it was revealed Blackburn with Darwen Council had been called a number of times to clear the area where the rubbish had been dumped.

Manxman fields and playground are looked after by the council, but residents in Higher Croft said that the number of park maintenance staff has been reduced.

Mr Houghton said that the area has been getting progressively worse since the beginning of the month.

He said: “There’s general rubbish everywhere. It looks like a tip. I have contacted the council and they say it’s Capita’s responsibility and Capita say the council should do it.

“It is really dangerous. There’s glass in the park and dirty nappies.

“I took my dog for a walk and its foot was sliced by some glass. The area needs to be cleaned. I walk up there a couple of times a day with the dog and sometimes I take my grand-child, but I can’t take her there because it’s dangerous.”

Peter Hunt, director of regeneration and environment for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “A council fly-tipping officer has visited the site and is arranging for the litter and flytipping to be removed.

“We would urge residents who see people dropping litter, or fly tipping, to contact the council on 01254 585921.”