A partnership has taken action to swat fly-tipping in a part of Preston.

Lancashire County Council (LCC) has teamed up with Preston City Parks and Cleansing and Gateway Housing Association for a clean up of green open spaces next to Holme Slack Primary School.

It comes as a new report from the Countryside Alliance entitled, Time for Action, outlines solutions to fly-tipping which, the company claims, is costing taxpayers £100million a year.

LCC has provided the funding to employ contractors to clear up the fly-tipping while the housing association will foot the bill for skips throughout the Holme Slack area over the next few weeks to encourage residents to get rid of their bulky waste.

A spokesman from the county council's environmental projects team said: "Fly-tipping really effects peoples ability to enjoy their local green spaces safely and securely.

"We hope that by cleaning up the worst of the rubbish we will enable local people to enjoy using the area.

"Flytipping carries a heavy fine and we will be watching out for any future problems and taking action if necessary.

"However we hope that the new skips that are going to be provided in the area will solve the problems."

During a one-day clean-up Preston city rangers worked with local groups to carry out litter picking days, their cleansing department also went house to house with leaflets to remind local residents that the city council provides a bulky waste collection service.

Preston City Councillor Keith Sedgewick said: "Enhancing the local area is one of the councils key priorities, we are always keen to work with a range of partners and residents to improve local environmental quality."

For information on getting rid of bulky waste ring 01772 906784.