CONCERNS have been raised about fast food litter louts who have left a neighbourhood strewn with rubbish.

Resident Michael Craven, 53, of Parkway, West Bowling, said litter blowing in from McDonald's at the top of Rooley Lane was blighting gardens in his street and a nearby field, making the whole area an eyesore.

He said he had picked up at least 100 pieces of McDonald's-branded pieces of litter, including wrappers. He added that he had also found tins and glass bottles from other sources, which were a hazard.

Mr Craven said: "Bradford Council says it will fine homeowners who have untidy gardens but what are they going to do about big businesses like McDonald's?

"McDonald's have a responsibility to clear up mess that comes from them. It's a blinking eyesore. They are making lots of money but they're also making lots of havoc with litter."

He added: "I've lived here for more than four years now and it's got worse. We're hoping to sell our house next year but all this litter won't make it easy."

Mr Craven, a photographer, has been keeping a photo log of the litter, which he hopes will make bosses at the McDonald's store take action to keep the neighbourhood litter free.

"What they need is to pass a message on to customers more clearly that they must not be irresponsible with their rubbish when they've finished and put it in a bin provided or take it home and dispose of it there. They should also get staff out to litter pick and keep the problem down."

According to McDonald's official website, it takes pride in the appearance of the environment surrounding its stores and is committed to tackling litter in as many different ways as it can, such as daily litter patrols and regular local clean-up events with groups and charities. It also has full-time litter champions in London, Liverpool and Glasgow whose sole responsibility is to pick up all litter along routes in city centres.

McDonald's Rooley Lane manager Iram Shazad said for the last two to three years it had a member of staff go out on litter patrols every morning for about one hour clearing neighbouring streets including Parkway of any rubbish.

"The problem is we can't go on to people's private property so we can't go in to their gardens. Recently we had a full team go into a local park to litter pick. We are serious about looking after our neighbour's environment and if we are missing anywhere then we'd like to know the exact details of where it is. We are keen to help."

Councillor Sher Khan (Lab, Little Horton) said he would do his best to help residents if they get in touch with him.

"I will go and talk to McDonald's but I also want to hear from residents about their litter problems. It's true even the council can't go into people's private gardens though. We need to educate people about what they do with their rubbish. Maybe we need to put some signs up in the area reminding people to get rid of it properly and not just chuck it around."