One of the country's oldest canals has been blighted by piles of litter dumped in it.
Sankey Canal in St Helens was opened in 1757and was England's first of the Industrial revolution, and the first modern canal, connecting St Helens to the River Mersey at Spike Island, Widnes. Despite the canal's historical and cultural importance to the area, piles of waste have been dumped in and around the waterway, including used needles.
Pictures from community group St Helens Litter Heroes show the extent of the rubbish dumped, consisting mainly of empty beer cans, as well as drug paraphernalia. In a Facebook post the group said: "I know I bang on about the state of the canal but it really is a disgrace that this fantastic asset to the town is in this state.
READ MORE: Community 'lost for words' as baby girl dies in dog attack
"Please share it too. I want people to see this. I want people to understand how we have all this fantastic heritage right on our doorstep and we are squandering its potential."
People were quick to comment on the post, condemning those who choose to contribute to the littering. One comment said: "So sad. An area that could be a real asset to the community and the local economy."
Another added: "I have a mix of utter sadness and anger that people alone can be so irresponsible and lackadaisical. A million times you and others will pick up after those who treat their locality with such disregard. How any of them think it's acceptable to live like this, I really don't know."
St Helens Borough council says it is reviewing its fly tipping and recycling policies.
For the latest news and breaking news visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/news
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @LivECHONews - the official Liverpool ECHO Twitter account - real news in real time.
We're also on Facebook/theliverpoolecho - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.
