A BOLTON man's home became infested with thousands of flies for two months after a sewer pipe burst.

Martin Ormrod, aged 41, spent each day sweeping and vacuuming dead flies from his floor, cupboards, shower and windowsills. It became so bad, he had to cook, eat and wash at his mother's house.

He claimed Bolton at Home had delayed any action despite a pest control officer saying the situation was "extremely urgent". Although the problem has now been resolved, he has criticised the housing authority for not acting sooner.

Mr Ormrod, who lives in Clevelands Gardens, Deane, first noticed the leak in February when sewage from his flat and the one above began leaking from a pipe into his kitchen.

In March, workmen removed a panel and plastered over the hole, which cured the flooding but did not get rid of the flies.

Last month, Bolton Council pest controller Andy Taylor visited the flat, and said it had an "extremely urgent pest problem" which should be fixed as soon as possible. Since then, the infestation has got worse.

Mr Ormrod said: "I had to cook, eat and wash at my mother's house because of the filth here. I could just about sleep in the flat, but that was it. It has been soul-destroying being passed from pillar to post trying to get this fixed."

Mr Ormrod's appointment was brought forward after The Bolton News contacted Bolton at Home.

In a statement, Bolton at Home said: "We have worked to alleviate the problem since it was first reported in February. However, it has recently been identified that further work is necessary to fill-in holes under the kitchen units.

"Environmental Health is scheduled to carry out follow-up fumigation work. Bolton at Home regrets any inconvenience caused to the customer."

Mr Ormrod said: "I pay £50 a week for my flat. I would have fixed it myself, but I'm not allowed to touch it.

"I don't want compensation. As long as it's clean and I can sleep without having to wake up to that horrible smell."