Church street plagued by flies 4 weeks after body discovered

Police were called at around 6.30pm on August 19 to reports of a sudden death in Albert Street, with officers later discovering a man in his 20s dead inside the property.

Residents are having to leave pots of cider vinegar out to catch flies and have been forced to keep their windows shut to avoid the critters infesting their homes.

Barry and Mary Cronin live on Albert Street, Barry said: “They aren’t little flies, they are huge and you can see them all over the windows.

Barry and Mary are concerned about the insects (Image: NQ) “It’s disgusting and nothing seems to be being done about it.”

Another resident said: “I’ve had to keep pots of cider vinegar out to catch the flies, and in the summer heat it’s been really difficult keeping all the windows shut."

The infested property, where the body was found, is believed to be a privately owned house in multiple occupation with four bedrooms, although appears vacant at the moment.

Shaun Freeston, who also lives on the street, said: “We are all getting flies into our houses which isn’t good especially as they have been feeding on decaying flesh and blood.

“This can cause a serious health problem, especially for the elderly and those with health problems from what diseases the flies may carry.

“Not only is it the physical harm but the effect on people's mental health has already started to have an effect.”

Shaun says he contacted Hyndburn Borough Council two weeks after the man’s body was found with concerns over environmental health, but they haven’t resolved the issue.

Cllr Loraine Cox, who represents the Church ward on Hyndburn Council and Accrington North on the county council, said: "My thoughts are with the residents and with the family of the man who has died, it's not a nice situation.

"I will be making enquiries straight away to get things moving."

Lancashire Police said: "We were called shortly before 6.30pm on August 19th to a report of a sudden death at an address on Albert Street, Church.

"Officers attended and sadly found the body of a man in his 20s.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for HM Coroner."