FLY-TIPPERS in Deane are driving residents mad by dumping rubbish near their homes.

Fridges, record players, suitcases, pieces of wood and bin bags full of junk have been thrown into the back garden of an unoccupied house in Platt Hill Avenue since a fence was cut down four months ago.

Platt Field's Estate residents' association committee member Phyllis McGauthey, aged 71, says the situation keeps getting worse as more people dump their unwanted rubbish in the Bolton at Home property's garden — and she worries that it might attract rats.

Grandmother-of-seven Mrs McGauthey, of Fernhill Avenue, said: "I have lived here since 1968 and I have never seen a mess like it. It's not like it's just kids throwing crisp packets in there, I've seen a washing machine, a fridge, a couch, suitcases, planks of wood, a record player and bags and bags of rubbish. The fridge has gone but I imagine that's down to scrap metal thieves.

"Since the fence was cut down about four months ago the problem has got worse. It doesn't help that it's in a back street with a ginnel running past it, so it's an easy target for people wanting to get rid of any unwanted rubbish.

"The house has been empty for about nine months or so, since the last tenant moved out. I have seen a couple of workmen in there but this isn't renovation rubbish. It is people throwing their rubbish in there because it's easy.

"My main worry is rats — if they come along they'll bring germs. There are quite a few young children and babies who live around here so that's not a safe environment for them."

It is the first of a number of fly- tipping incidents to have hit the borough recently. We told last month how motorists were left trapped in Back Green Lane in Great Lever after fly-tippers dumped a mountain of rubbish on a back road.

The pile, made up of tree trunks, carpets, paint cans, cabinet doors and a settee, meant householders were unable to drive out of the road.

Residents were left angry after council bosses initially refused to move the junk because the path is officially an unadopted road, but they came out to take it away the following day, saying there were “exceptional circumstances”.

About £2.4 million has been cut from the environmental services budget at Bolton Council since 2010, which has led to a 35 per cent reduction in cleansing resources.

And Cllr Sufrana Ismail, the council's cabinet member for community services, said recently she believed the cuts could be having an effect.

A spokesman for Bolton at Home apologised to residents for having to put up with the fly-tipping at Platt Hill Avenue.

She said: "Although we've only recently become aware of the extent of the problem, we apologise to residents for what they've had to put up with.

"We know it has become a targeted area and we've responded to reports and removed items, including white goods.

"We'll now remove the latest refuse, secure the fencing and take appropriate action further to our findings."

If anyone has information about those responsible, contact 01204 328114.