A COUNCIL boss has pledged to clean up a street which disabled residents claim has become infested with rats after rubbish was dumped and left to rot.

One of the complainants is Peter McHugh, who lives in one of several bungalows for disabled people in Pendle Street, Blackburn.

He said piles of rubbish on wasteland next to the Cutchi Muslim Association Hall were making his and his neighbours' lives a misery.

He said: "The stuff is just thrown out on to the wasteland opposite and left to rot. There are even babies' old nappies in there".

Mr McHugh said rubbish often appeared after parties when cars also caused parking chaos.

"We've now got rats running around. It's terrible -- and we're all disabled.

"We've tried to get help from the council and the police but nothing's been done."

Peter Hunt, director of direct services with Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The streets of Blackburn and Darwen are cleaned regularly, with this street being cleaned on a weekly basis.

He said: "Now this has been brought to our attention we have requested staff to go to the area concerned to carry out an inspection and they will arrange to remove any rubbish that has been dumped.

"The council monitors the cleaning of streets and back streets in the borough and we take any steps necessary to ensure that we continue to improve this service for all residents."

No-one was available at the Cutchi Muslim Association Hall.