FLYTIPPERS are being blamed for turning a former playground at Fernhill into a haven for vermin.

Land behind homes on Athlone and Marquis Avenue has been targeted by dumpers who have left masonry, hedge trimmings, old furniture and carpets at the site.

Athlone Avenue resident Mr Melvin Bonney and his wife Dorothy pay to use the Bury Council-owned land for parking, and say that the rubbish is attracting rats.

Melvin (61) said: "Going around there at night you can see them in the headlights.

"We have seen waggons going around there and some of the rubbish is so heavy it couldn't have been brought here on foot.

"You can see where the children play because they have made a house with all the old carpets and furniture.

Former lollipop lady Dorothy said: "There is glass and it's filthy so it can't be safe for them.

"The council have cleaned it up I don't know how many times, but it always ends up the same."

The Bonneys say they complained to the council three weeks ago.

Following an inquiry by the Bury Times, a spokesman for the property services department said that the land was in the process of being cleared.