LITTER in the Nelson stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal is spoiling the otherwise well-kept waterway, say residents and businesses.

Adrian Hudson, who regularly walks on the towpaths, said takeaway pack-aging and shopping trolleys were often discarded in the canal.

He is urging British Waterways to step up efforts to clean the waterway in the area.

And his calls are being echoed by bosses at Foulridge Wharf Canal Cruises, who plan to run trips along the stretch.

Mr Hudson, 42, from the Marsden area, said problems were particularly bad near Reedyford Bridge at the bottom of Scotland Road.

He said: “If you walk along the canal from the Barrowford Locks end, it all seems very nice and lovely with barges and nice water and lots of people walking along it.

“But nearer to Nelson, there’s litter everywhere, on the paths and in the bushes and water.

“There are plastic bottles and bags, sweet wrappers and crisp packets, shopping trolleys and even fire hydrants.”

Mr Hudson claimed the problems had worsened this year as a result of the canal freezing over in winter.

He said people had thrown things on to the ice to try to break it, which then sunk when it thawed.

“The canal is the selling point of the town and I don't think when people come to Nelson it’s a very good ‘shop window’,” he added.

Last month, the Lancashire Tele-graph revealed that East Lancashire’s canals were enjoying a resurgence, with more people using them.

Martin Cleaver, manager of Foulridge Canal Cruises Ltd, said: “We're hoping to start running a boat service from Reedly Marina at Barden Mill, so we hope the area is cleaned up before we do.”

Iain Weston, maintenance manager for British Waterways North West, said: “The sheer scale of the network, combined with our limited resources, means we have to focus on key priorities, including essential maint-enance to the canal infrastructure.

“However, we’re currently looking at ways to make positive steps forward with our partners and tackle those who decide to treat their local waterway as a place to dump their waste.”

Coun George Adam said: “I would certainly support any plans to clean it up. I have had lots of conversations with people about the littering, which is a real mess.”