A MOUNTAIN of shoes, clothes and bags have been dumped in a street near the town centre.

They were left on the site of the former Wareing Bros paint manufacturers in Carlton Street. Passers-by have expressed their shock at seeing the items, which include hundreds of fashionable outfits and shoes.

James Moran, 40, of Lever Edge Lane, Great Lever said: “I saw this absolute mess on Sunday evening, and I was absolutely disgusted.”

A woman, who asked not to be named, added: “I walk that way every day and the first time I saw it was about 10 days ago. At the time it was a giant white plastic bag about 10ft high, which had clearly come off the back of a wagon.

“Since then somebody has cut into the sack and spilt the contents all over the place. What I think of those responsible would be unprintable.

“I am in my 60s and I pick litter up if I see it or report more serious incidents, but what makes me most sad is that Bolton as a town has lost its pride and that is such a shame.”

A council spokesman said: “This waste has been dumped on private land, and in these circumstances it is the responsibility of the land owner and not the council to clear up the mess.

“However, the council has been liaising with the owner to ensure the waste is removed, and our enforcement team has also inspected the waste and are now following-up several positive lines of inquiry which we hope will lead to the identification of the culprits.

“The council takes a zero tolerance approach to fly-tipping and will always aim to prosecute or fine anyone found to be unlawfully dumping waste.

“We would encourage all residents to report fly-tipping to the council and also any information which might help us identify those responsible.”