AN angler who has fought for years to stop fly-tipping in Radcliffe has condemned those who continue to dump hazardous waste in the River Irwell.

Two years ago, Eric Owen, who is chairman of the Little Britain Anglers, won a battle to have a section of the river near Outwood Road cleaned up and security gates installed.

But having seen waste, including oil, brake fluid and even a motorbike, frequently dumped in that section of the river, he is now continuing his battle to clean up the area.

Mr Owen, who has repeatedly reported the incidents to Bury Council, said: “We have got a massive clean-up job to do.

“This has been going on since 2012 – we had that small victory but it has just become worse again since then.

“It will have a devastating effect on the fish, the invertebrates, and the woods at the side of the river.”

The 46-year-old, of Keswick Drive, Bury, is campaigning for urgent action to be taken to clean up areas across Radcliffe before the situation gets any worse.

He added: “If this had been dealt with in the first place then we wouldn’t be in this situation.

“Across Radcliffe there are loads of issues like this that need cleaning up but just get left untouched – the authorities have to stop burying their heads in the sand.

“The River Irwell made this area what it is and it’s time some money and care was put back into it.”

The Radcliffe Times reported last year that pollution was causing sections of the River Irwell to turn white, before being further contaminated by a diesel spill at a petrol station in Haslingden.

Mr Owen is also alerting the authorities to the spread of hogweed in Radcliffe, a hazardous plant that can cause severe burns.

“This is a serious problem,” he said.

“It’s a very dangerous plant and it’s not being dealt with, either because the bodies we talk to about it either don’t seem to care or don’t have the resources to help anymore because of cuts.”