A MUM claimed she cannot let her 17-month-old daughter play outside because her Accrington street is ‘infested with rats’.

Resident Tracey Turner said she is ‘disgusted’ at the state of Hopwood Street where fly-tippers have dumped rubbish, including two old sofas.

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The 35-year-old mother said: “This is an unadopted street, but it is full of rubbish and it is infested with rats.

“I saw three rats as big as cats. I cannot even allow my 17-month-old daughter, Scarlet, to go outside in the garden or street for fear there may be a rat outside.

“I am angry at the way I am being ignored.

“We pay full council tax to live in a safe environment.

“The council says it is dealing with it but this has been going on for eight weeks.”

Two settees, food waste, tin cans and scrap card were among rubbish dumped along the street.

The area in question backs onto Globe Bowling and Billiards Club, and is near to Bullough Park.

Environment bosses at Hyndburn Council say they are addressing the problem and intend to contact the owner of the land.

Miss Turner, who has lived at the property for more than 30 years, added: “The amount of rubbish is ridiculous.

“It is environmentally disgusting.

“It really is an absolute mess.

“I think a lot of the rubbish is coming from fly-tippers who live elsewhere.”

Hyndburn Council says officials have investigated the ownership of the land and are planning to serve an enforcement notice, forcing the owner to clean up the site.

These notices, issued when the council is satisfied that there has been a breach, could result in a fine of up to £20,000, or conviction, if the owner does not comply with the request.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn Council, said: “The issues raised by Ms Turner have been investigated recently by environmental standards officers, who have found the land in question to be detrimental to the amenity of the area.

“The council is now preparing to serve an enforcement notice on the land owner requiring them to improve the condition of the land.”