A CAMPAIGN launched by Vale Royal Borough Council to tackle grot spots, environmental crime and improving neighbourhoods cannot come too soon for a couple of residents.

The campaign, called SMYLE (Supporting My Local Environment) is designed to encourage residents, businesses and visitors to the area to support two initiatives: Cleaner, green, streets and spaces and think global and act locally.

David Pickford, 75, of Bedford Rise, Winsford, said he had been complaining about a piece of land opposite where he lives since October.

The area is where children play and David says the grass has not been cut in a long time and people are dumping rubbish there.

He said: "The grass is almost as high as I am.

"The thing that hurts me the most is when the grass is cut, the children come out and play but they can't when it is so long."

Meanwhile Kath Watson from Weaverham said she travels home along Winnington Avenue where there is a piece of land full of rubbish.

She said: "There's paper and cardboard boxes full of rubbish.

"It's a real eyesore."

Through consultation and investigation, the borough council is looking to target grot spots throughout the borough that are impacting on local environmental quality.

The borough council wants to work with partners and stakeholders to consider what actions can be taken to provide sustainable solutions to improve them.