Residents in a Darwen flat complex have become infuriated after a “health hazard” has formed due to 'missed bin collections'.

People living in Springfield Flats said they have not had their bins removed in four weeks, despite the one bin being used to serve multiple apartments, a claim refuted by the council.

The upper flats use a combined chute which they claim has now become blocked and is infested with rats and flies.

Ken Hamnett, a resident at Springfield Flats said that he reported the issue to the council on two occasions and was told both times that it would be dealt with the following week.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said bins have been collected, though one has a broken wheel so could not be collected and has been reported to Together Housing by the council as residents have not flagged it up to the housing association.

The council also said bin capacity is 'not being fully utilised', and has asked residents not to use the chute as it empties into the broken bin.

Ken said: “The bin is crammed to the roof with bin bags and rubbish and it is a health hazard.

"It is infested with flies, rats who chewed through the bottom of the door to get into the place, and fruit flies, and we can’t get rid of them.”

Having already overcome lung cancer, Ken now suffers from prostate cancer and has kidney issues - meaning he requires two bags attached to his legs.

Ken added: “My health is not because of the flies, but it is not making it any better. There are flies in every room and they are on your food.

“I am 85 years old and my wife is 77 and she has the same problem with the flies and the state of the place.”

Other residents in the building all share Ken’s frustration, with one resident claiming refuse workers did attend the site and only stayed for five minutes, leaving the site in the same state.

The accommodation, which is owned by Together Housing, has also had mould issues but the company were quick to solve the issue, residents said.

Addressing the residents' concerns, a spokesperson from Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "Springfield Flats in Darwen consists of 24 properties.

"The eight properties residing on the ground floors have individual burgundy bins. The 16 properties in the flats above utilise bin chutes where the rubbish drops into four communal green 660-litre bins, which are located on the ground floor.

"On the collection day of Thursday, October 3, crews visited the site and emptied all burgundy bins and three out of four communal bins.

"One of the communal bins could not be emptied due to having damaged wheels which meant it could not be wheeled to the collection vehicle.

"This had not been reported to us previously. We received a complaint from a resident that the rubbish had not been collected, and explained to them about the issue in writing.

"On the collection day of Thursday, October 17, all burgundy bins were emptied as well as two out of four of the communal bins.

"The bin with the damaged wheels could not be emptied and one bin was unfortunately missed by the crew.

"Although no residents reported the missed bin to us, now that we are aware of it, we have arranged for this to be emptied on Wednesday, October 23.

"Regarding the communal bin with the damaged wheels, we will report this to Together Housing and look to replace it as soon as possible.

"In the interim, we will ask them to inform their tenants to stop dropping waste through the bin chute.

"Although this communal bin is currently out of action, the other bins are not being utilised to their full capacity.

"Rubbish has been accumulating around the broken green bin from the bin chute rather than being placed in the other three bins.

"If residents can take their rubbish to the other communal bins on the ground floor rather than using the bin chute, this would help the issue massively.

"The additional rubbish that has accumulated will also be removed on October 23."

Steve Greenwood, Senior Manager for Environmental Services at Together Housing, said: “Residents should be able to live in clean communities and we’re sorry to hear of the problems identified at Springfield Flats.

"Our staff have visited the site, removed the rubbish and reassured residents.

“Over the coming weeks, we’ll keep an eye on the use of the bin chutes and any issues with pests and we encourage any of the residents with concerns to raise them with us as soon as possible.  

"We’ll also be working with our partners Blackburn with Darwen Council to support collection and recycling of the waste."