DARLINGTON could become a ‘rubbish tip’ within a year, according to an environmental campaigner hoping to clean up the streets.

Aaron Jack is appealing for volunteers to join him in keeping his hometown tidy in the wake of drastic council cuts.

Street cleaning services are being reduced to the statutory minimum under Darlington Borough Council’s contentious programme of budget cuts.

The number of enforcement officers tackling litter and environmental crime will be reduced, meaning council investigations will no longer be carried out with regard to issues like fly tipping, dog fouling and littering.

There will also be no resource to deal with residents putting out bins in the wrong place or time.

The council has said the cuts will “potentially have a major impact on the appearance of the environment and environmental crime will increase as there is no deterrent.”

Mr Jack has now launched The Community Environmental Care Agency in a bid to counter the anticipated problems.

He hopes to inspire a team of community-minded volunteers to help the council and the town’s residents by bridging the gap left by budget cuts.

Mr Jack is urging people to highlight any environmental issues and to work together to keep the town clean.

The 23-year-old was inspired to take action after becoming frustrated over the deterioration of his neighbourhood.

He said: “I started by cleaning up my back alley because it was in an atrocious state.

“I have a daughter and there are other children in this area that used to play in the alley but can’t now because of fly-tipping and rubbish from missed bin collections.

“If we can get enough volunteers, we can make a difference, go litter picking and get residents involved wherever we go.

“This organisation has been set up to help the council, which has lost officers - we want to keep the community safe and clean.

“If we don’t do something about this problem, in a year’s time the town will be a huge rubbish tip.”

He added: “I want the people who litter and fly tip to realise that they might be making money from what they do but they cost the council double and that’s part of the reason the council is having to make the cuts.”

To get involved with the project, call Mr Jack on 01325 468204 or visit communityenvirocare.co.uk.

For details on changes to street cleaning, visit darlington.gov.uk.