Residents next to a rat-infested alleyway littered with used needles have pleaded with the council to clean it up.
Residents in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, say the rats - initially drawn to the large volume of fly-tipped rubbish - have started scurrying into their properties.
The alleyway has attracted other unhygienic visitors, including one woman a resident saw "defecating in a burning bin".
Dave Roberts, 63, who recently move from "down South" to the Grimsby property, said he is frustrated with the lack of help from the council to remove the rubbish behind his house.
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Dave said: "I've lived here two months after moving up here from down south and now we're trying to clear the alleyway behind my house.
"I've emailed the council asking for a skip and a gate to lock either end of the alley after we've cleared the rubbish, but they've told us we'll have to do it ourselves.
"All the residents have said they'd load the skip themselves if we were given the equipment to sort it out. We've been told it's our responsibility to clear it up, even though we never dumped the rubbish there.
"It's got that bad that I've seen rats in my garden and down the alleyway, why should I have to put up with that?
"It just seems to be falling on deaf ears at the moment. People have lived here for a lot longer than me and they're having to deal with this too.
"A lot of the people down here are trying to get on their feet by doing up their houses and gardens, but this keeps happening. Everyone keeps getting told it's on us.
"I'd hate for nothing to be done and a rat bites my grandchildren for example.
"Like I said, we're not asking them to clean the rubbish, we just want the facilities to do it ourselves.
"I think we get forgotten about because the mess isn't behind the councillors' houses. The people who live here are being ignored in my eyes.
"We're not asking for a miracle, just for a skip and a gate. The problem is, the alleyway is now a health hazard as well, we need to do something about it.
"This entire situation is about people wanting to do the best for where they live, but still they're being ignored."
A woman who chose to remain anonymous said she "pricked my finger on a used needle" and has now decided just to keep her section clear, fearing it could happen again if she went rifling through more.
She said she's moving out at "the first chance I get".
Another resident explained: "It's awful what you see happening in the alleyway, the other day, I saw a lady defecating in the burning bin down there."
North East Lincolnshire Council has previously said it's not their responsibility to clear private alleyways.
They were contacted for comment on this case.
