COMPLAINTS about the standard of grass cutting services around Chorley borough have led the council to probe its own performance.

There have been a rising number of complaints regarding the service, particularly in rural areas of the district with some parish councils complaining of a 'lack of professionalism, planning, co-ordination and consideration

Following a consultation with the parish councils and borough councillors, a catalogue of issues and areas for improvement were highlighted and will now be looked at during an inquiry by the Customer Overview and Scrutiny Panel which has a special meeting today.

Alan Whittaker, a parish, borough and county councillor welcomed the inquiry. He said: "In many cases the grass grows too long, is not collected and piles of grass remain which are both dangerous and unsightly."

And Margaret Ward, clerk to Whittle-le-Woods parish council, said: "We would like a service which is reliable and of a good standard.

"For instance when the children's play area is done properly, with a strimmer it is fine, but this is too infrequent, the service is inconsistent."

Among the complaints reported were that grass was left too long and when cut it is left untidy and dangerous, areas being forgotten and grass being left too long before being cut, particularly around sheltered accommodation.

Many of those consulted stated that litter was not cleared before cutting and was incorporated into the cuttings.

Ulnes Walton Parish Council reported that a large floral display had been destroyed on Southport Road when a grass cutting machine took the heads off flowers.

Several suggestions have been put forward to improve the service including recruiting temporary grounds maintenance staff in January rather than March and better services for the elderly tenants and those in sheltered accommodation.

Other suggested remedies put forward were for regular, planned routes to be followed and to hire gardeners to look after the gardens of sheltered accommodation for a small charge.