A TWO-day waste amnesty in the Leigh West area is set to take place in an effort to clamp down on illegal fly-tipping.

Around 500 people who live on Glebe Street, Gordon Street, Selwyn Street, Prescott Street and Chadwick Street will be able to leave their excess rubbish in two large skips for free on September 14 and 15.

If the amnesty is successful it will be extended to nearby roads.

The two large skips will be positioned on Chadwick Street.

The project has been organised by Wigan Council, Leigh Residents Association (LRA) and Leigh Neighbours Project.

LRA chairman Chris Anderson said: "Residents have expressed their concerns about the negative and detrimental effect flytipping is having on their local area.

"We hope our waste amnesty will be the catalyst to promote local pride in the area.

"I would like to express our appreciation for the council in developing this strategy."

An information stall manned by borough homeless charity The Brick and the council's education and enforcement team will offer waste management and recycling advice during the amnesty.

As part of the project, people will knock on doors throughout the area to offer recycling guidance.

Litter-picking sessions are expected to be organised as well with people who have mobility issues given assistance to carry objects to the skips.

The local authority's Deal Bus will also be on hand to give away free caddies, caddy liners, bin numbers and information leaflets and stickers.

Mechanical sweepers will be deployed to clean up footpaths and roads too.

A recycling mascot will make an appearance to keep children entertained with colouring books.

Once the amnesty period has passed, enforcement action will be taken against people who are caught illegally fly-tipping.

Letters will be delivered to residents in the next week with full details about the waste amnesty.