A GRANDMOTHER has said her life has become a ‘nightmare’ because of swarms of flies which have plagued her home for two years.

Joan Standring’s flat is so infested with drain flies she cannot sleep and eat without covering her face or food.

Each morning she is forced to sweep up hundreds of the dead insects, which began invading her home when social landlord Hyndburn Homes refurbished her bathroom.

The 80-year-old, who lives in sheltered accommodation in Rishton, said she had repeatedly contacted the organisation to fix the problem.

But despite workers visiting the Eachill Gardens flat the problem always returned after a few weeks.

Now her local councillor Harry Grayson, is calling for urgent action, saying he can’t believe she has put up with the flies for so long.

Mrs Standring, who is originally from Great Harwood, said: “It is just absolutely horrible. I sleep with a net over my face.”

When the problem was first inspected two years ago by a drains company, a dead rat was found in the pipework.

She also added that specialists discovered clouds of the flies in pipes.

David Perry, neighbourhood manager at Hyndburn Homes said Hyndburn Homes Repairs has visited the property on several occasions to investigate and resolve the problem.

“The decision has been made to use specialist investigators.

"This should take place shortly.”