DISCARDED litter and fly tipping have left residents incensed.

Gareth Graham, of Lostock Drive, was appalled to discover so much rubbish dumped in Middlewich as he explored the town.

The dad-of-three was walking on a footpath near the A54 with his son Ieuan when they came across mounds of waste.

The pair were so infuriated, they filled two bin bags with rubbish.

Ieuan, seven, a member of the local Beaver Scouts said he wanted to do something to try and clean up the area.

"We were shocked and appalled by the volume of strewn litter and discarded rubbish that was present," said Gareth, a civil engineer who builds bridges.

"It was clearly from all sorts of sources such as fly tipping, lunch and soft drink packaging and alcoholic beverage receptacles.

"Even more disgusting were the numerous discarded plastic bottles which had been filled with urine. This was evident along footpaths, the roadside, under hedgerows and bushes and typically in areas where vehicles could stop and turn around."

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Gareth came across the rubbish just days after councillors vowed to take action to clean up the litter-strewn A54 Holmes Chapel Road from Sproston into the town.

Members agreed to write to Cheshire East and Cheshire West councils about the problem and to Sproston Parish Council for its support.

Cllr David Latham, who runs Middlewich Pride, said: "The site of litter, plastics and rubbish strewn along the route is hardly appealing or exciting for people visiting the area."

He said it would be risky to expect volunteers to pick up litter by the busy road, suggesting they would be 'taking life into their own hands'.

Gareth added: "The amazing volunteers from the Middlewich Clean Team should not be expected to clean up this foul area which has been neglected for so long.

"Local companies that provide employment and derive profit from the area should insist that their employees treat the area with respect and stop littering.

"How can people drive to work looking at that mess. It is disgraceful, I don't understand why people do it.

"We filled two bin bags, whilst we feel that we have contributed we sadly understand that we have barely scraped the surface."

Gareth is calling for the council to instal CCTV cameras to help prosecute fly tippers.

"I understand the main concern is the gateway into Middlewich but this should not mean that the industrial area is ignored.

"The public right of way which passes through this area is at best unpleasant and at worst unsafe."