An opposition leader has hit out at the council over the state of flower beds.

Cllr Howard Sykes, leader of Oldham Liberal Democrats, has criticised the council for not having weeded or carried out summer planting in flower beds in Shaw and Crompton.

He said the weeds "continue to grow out of control" and said he has been told by residents that the council is "letting the borough look run down and unloved".

Cllr Sykes said: “The barrier planters in Shaw and Crompton were emptied out months ago but there has been no sign of any summer planting. 

"The council has missed the boat now and the place just looks a mess. 

"Meanwhile, weeds continue to grow out of control. 

"It’s like Day of the Triffids. 

"People notice and they tell me that they feel Oldham Council is letting the borough look run down and unloved.”

Day of the Triffids is a 1963 film, based on the novel by John Wyndham, in which a giant aggressive species of weed-like plants start to kill people. 

Cllr Sykes also said he expressed concerns in February, when cuts were made to jobs and resources from the environmental services team, responsible for the maintenance of borough parks and green spaces. 

He said: “We warned the council that these cuts to environmental services would result in a much poorer service for residents, but we were assured by Labour councillors that this wouldn’t be the case. 

"However, the facts speak for themselves, and everybody can see the difference."

In repsonse, Cllr Chris Goodwin, Oldham Labour's cabinet member for Don't Trash Oldham said: “All councillors have been made aware of the actions taken by this Labour administration following problems that arose with the contractor.

"We have trained our environmental services staff to carry out weed spraying and weather permitting they'll be carrying out weed treatment work on highways, roads and footpaths across the borough over the coming weeks and months.

“As well as our staff treating weeds road sweepers will be used to remove them where they can.

"If you need to report any excessive weeds let the team know by contacting them at EnvironmentalServices@oldham.gov.uk"