THIS eyesore garden landed an Accrington man with a £265 court bill.

Craig Wallbank, 53, of Wordsworth Road, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a notice served by Hyndburn magistrates which required him to remove a build-up of waste.

Wallbank told the court he had been overwhelmed by the problem and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Councillor Peter Clarke, Cabinet member for environmental issues, said: "This is another example of us taking a tough stance on this nuisance.

"We had many complaints from nearby residents who should not have to put up with living near this kind of eyesore, and if going to court is the only way to get it cleaned up then so be it.

"I am pleased to say that the garden has now been tidied."

Wallbank was fined £100 and ordered to pay £150 legal costs plus a £15 victim surcharge.

l An Accrington couple had to pay £1,600 worth of fines and costs after failing to clean up piles of dog dirt from their garden.

Neil Holden, 38, and wife Jane, 33, of Edmund Street, were both convicted of failing to comply with an abatement notice served by Hyndburn Council requiring them to clear up the mess.

They were each fined £525 with a £15 surcharge and between them they have to pay £150 prosecution costs, £224.76 investigation costs and £149.50 clean-up costs – bringing the joint total cost to £1,604.26.

Councillor Clarke said: "This case should serve as a warning to others. The council will not tolerate this kind of anti-social behaviour.

"It’s unsightly and extremely unpleasant for those living nearby."