A SHOP owner has hit out at the poor level of council litter patrols outside his shop.

Fred Bridge, chairman of Baker and Tubbs Furniture and Lighting, said he has to sweep up at the front of his shop in Great Moor Street, every day before closing, because of the litter.

He said: "It's an absolute disgrace. I can't remember the last time the road sweeper came past the shop.

"We also have a bus stop right outside the door. I wish it wasn't there because people just drop their litter on the pavement before they get on the bus."

Mr Bridge also has to regularly clean his shop's window as passers-by wipe takeaway food all over the glass.

He said: "Being just down the road from takeaways is a nightmare. People wander up, throw their cartons on the floor and splatter their food on the window."

The shop has also had problems with graffiti and the doorway being used as a public lavatory when the store is closed.

Mr Bridge claims that with many shops being closed and boarded up, including units on both sides of Baker and Tubbs, the town centre is going downhill.

He said: "The town already gets bad reports for having limited public toilets and car parking problems, but how are the council going to encourage new retailers into the centre with all the boards up and the fly posters? They should be ashamed."

However, a council spokesman said that Knowsley Street is cleaned every day as part of the town centre programme. From Monday to Saturday litter is picked up while on Saturdays and Sundays the street is mechanically swept.

He said: "The cleaning programme starts very early in the morning and continues into the evening so it may be done before they arrive or after they leave."