A ROW has broken out over claims that parts of the Tonge with The Haulgh area are strewn with litter and are being neglected by the council.

Derek Wunderley, who is standing for UKIP in the ward at next month's local elections, says that piles of rubbish have built up and that parts of the area are in "a terrible state".

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But one of Mr Wunderley's opponents, standing Bolton councillor Nick Peel, has defended his ward

The Labour councillor, who is Bolton Council’s executive cabinet member for environment and regulatory services, says money is being spent on long term approaches to combating litter, such as enforcement and education programmes.

Mr Wunderley said: “The Labour group controlling Bolton Council have neglected parts of Tonge with the Haulgh by allowing many streets to be strewn with litter and mess.

“Walking around, it is clear that many roads and pavements have not been swept for a long time as it is obvious that some of the rubbish is long-standing.”

However, Cllr Peel said the causes of littering and fly-tipping needed to be dealt with rather than just spending money on removing individual instances.

He said: “Pouring money into cleaning up after these people is not the answer. Under my watch we have increased the money spent on enforcement and education.

“That has to be the long-term solution. It is up to all of us, residents, councillors and officers alike to report these things.”