Roadside eyesores must be cleaned up before the Tour de France comes to the district, say local councillors.

They are calling on householders and property owners to make sure their pieces of the route are spick and span when the riders pass on July 5 and 6.

Keighley politicians Khadim Hussain and Abid Hussain spoke out after discovering the litter-strewn state of the derelict former Keighley College car park. After the councillors raised concerns about the parking area on North Street, Bradford Council this week sent staff to begin a clean-up.

A council spokesman confirmed that litter had been removed, and said staff would return nearer the date of the Tour to remove weeds.

The two councillors, who represent Keighley Central ward on Bradford Council, said it was essential similar action was taken on other parts of the Tour route if necessary.

Coun Khadim Hussain, the Lord Mayor of Bradford, said: “The Tour de France will be a global event, so we have to make extra effort to make sure we portray the best image of the town.

“We want to show how clean we are. I would like the council to work with households to get that message home.”

Both councillors said the old college car park would benefit from being resurfaced, but accepted the council could not afford this due to public spending cuts. A Bradford Council spokesman confirmed a college car park clean-up was in progress. He added: “The former college buildings are currently up for sale and because the surface of the car park is not appropriate for regular use, the car park is now closed. “Street cleansing will be doing a tidy up along the highway of the route.