Residents say 'abandoned' caravan deters fly-tippers

RESIDENTS have claimed that an 'abandoned' caravan is helping to deter fly-tippers.

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The caravan, parked up on the end of Sands Road in Rishton, belongs to Vicky and Mark Proctor who live in an adjacent house in Spring Street.

A petition, set up by Anya Ryan on behalf of Mr and Mrs Proctor, claims highways bosses at Lancashire County Council have told them to remove the caravan which Mrs Proctor confirmed with the Observer last week.

Mrs Proctor has also been using Sands Road to put up Halloween and Christmas decorations for a number of years to bring the community together and raise funds for St Peter and St Paul's Parish Church.

Residents fear Mrs Proctor would no longer be able to put decorations up for the community due to Lancashire County Council ordering her to move the caravan.

However, while council bosses confirmed a letter had been sent requesting the caravan and fencing be removed, there has been no mention of community events, and that this could be discussed if the organisers approach the council.

Mrs Proctor has owned two caravans in the last 11 years, one of which set on fire after an abandoned car on Sands Road set alight in 2015. She then replaced this caravan with another one.

The two caravans have been parked on Sands Road for at least 10 years but not at the same time.