A MUM-OF-THREE from Darwen said constant fly-tipping on her street has led to rats and left her scared to let her children play outside.

Tanya Rawsthorn, 29, has lived on Snape Street for seven months with her three children and has found the litter problem has become progressively worse.

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She now wants something to be done about it as she believes living in such conditions are unacceptable and dangerous, with broken glass often on the ground.

The self-employed nail technician said: “It’s just disgusting. I can’t even open the back door. I can’t let the kids go to play out the back.

“I’ve seen dead rats at the bottom of the pile of rubbish. There were takeaway boxes, settees, TVs. It was an eyesore.

“There’s more junk added to the pile every day, I’ve seen rats running around. It’s terrifying.”

Miss Rawsthorn lives at the address with her three children Mark, eight, Rosie, seven, and Terry, four.

Having lived in Darwen since the age of 11 when she moved from Preston, she now would be willing to move from the privately-owned house to get away from the problem.

She said the issue has caused problems for her children and provides disruption for residents. She said: “People have told me they can’t walk past the back alleys any more it’s so bad.

“I’ve had enough. Why should my kids have to suffer because of this?

“It’s the smell that is the worst thing, it’s absolutely disgusting.”

Miss Rawsthorn claimed that she tried to contact the council about the problem soon after she moved into the property but the issue has persisted.

Cllr Jim Smith, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for Environment, said: “Since January we have been to Snape Street 15 times to clear fly-tipped rubbish and have mounted several investigations.

“The disgraceful and selfish behaviour displayed by those who fly tip is a considerable drain on resources. that could be better used elsewhere.

“Dumping rubbish is illegal and we aim to make sure our borough is kept clean and safe for all residents by prosecuting fly-tippers where possible and naming and shaming in the Press. I would urge residents of Snape Street to be vigilant.”