FED-UP residents have called for action after bins were left unemptied for six weeks.

People living in more than 40 terraced houses in Park Lee Road and Lynthorpe Road in Blackburn said overflowing rubbish could lead to an infestation of rats.

The bin collecting service hit major problems after the early cold snap and bad weather over the Christmas period.

Council bosses they feared an accident or even a fatality if a 26-tonne wagon had lost control in the recent ice and snow. They have pledged to empty the bins as soon as possible., Judith Day, 49, who lives in Park Lee Road, said it was 'disgraceful'.

The mother-of-three added: "It is disgusting at the back of our houses and I am appalled that rubbish has just been left to pile up.

"They keep using the excuse of bad weather but the roads have been fine for the last couple of days and still are bins remain full to the brim.

"The council need to organise themselves because we have bad weather every year and it is just ridiculous that every year they seem to drag their feet."

The red household waste bins in the area are normally collected on a Tuesday.

Another local resident, Joanne Edmundson, who works as a nurse in intensive care, said: "Things can't just stop working because we have a little bad weather. It's absolutely disgusting out the back and we are worried that about hygiene and rat infestations."

Janet Parsons, who also lives in Park Lee Road, said: "They just keep saying that it's too icy to empty them. It is a disgrace."

Terry Trayler, operations manager for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We and our recycling partners have missed a couple of weekly collections at this location because of the dangers posed by the recent ice and snow.

"The last thing we want is an accident or fatality if our 26 tonne wagon slides on the ice. All householders have been left cards explaining the missed collection and given lilac bags for extra waste.

"We have extra crews on this week dealing with the backlog and the bins will be emptied today."