Anger at fly-tipping and 'rats having a field day'

Residents have said the dumped rubbish is "soul destroying"

Complaints about rats and rubbish dumped around a Merseyside town have led to a council investigation.

Residents in Bootle have complained to Sefton Council about an apparent increase in fly-tipping incidents including piles of stuffed plastic bin bags abandoned on the town's Moore Street.

One resident, Kim Murphy, said the dumped rubbish was "soul-destroying" and attracting rats who are "having a lovely time".

The council said it was conducting an investigation and confirmed cleansing teams would be removing the rubbish.

'Disgrace'

Photos of much of the mess were posted to a local Facebook group, where residents have expressed their frustration at the continuing problem of waste disposal in the area.

Michael Brennan, one of the group's admins, said: "Everywhere is filthy and disgusting. I'm fed up with it".

Another resident, Peter Berrill, said: "It's a disgrace. The rats will have a field day."

Sefton Council said: "It costs the council a six-figure sum every year to remove and dispose of fly-tipped rubbish.

"That's hundreds of thousands of pounds that could otherwise be spent on important local services to benefit people in the borough and on nice things."

The council warned that anyone caught engaging in fly-tipping would be subject to enforcement action, which could include a fixed penalty notice or prosecution.