Residents have complained of 'chaos and disruption' after streets were torn up to install fibre optic cables.

The disruption has led to overflowing bins in Torrington Avenue in Astley Bridge, which has caused distress for residents.

One resident, Pauline Orton, said she contacted the council amid rat fears, but was told last week that her bins would not be collected for almost two weeks.

Pauline said: "We had no warning at all that these installation works would be taking place.

"They've been digging the whole pavement up.

"It's been a building site.

"The council initially told me that my bins would be collected, but then backtracked and said they wouldn't be emptied until a week on Tuesday.

"It's not our fault that these works took place."

The 70-year-old said that she was advised by the council to take her rubbish to the tip.

Pauline added: "People who don't have access to a car can't take their rubbish to the tip.

"There's several food shops on our road and we've already seen rats around there at night.

"People will start to fly tip if the bins aren't collected."

Caroline Mckay, also of Torrington Avenue, said she is finding the situation stressful as it is becoming increasingly difficult to dispose of her disabled daughter's waste in a hygienic way.

Caroline said: "My daughter, Chloe, is still in nappies as she has some toileting issues and I don't know what to do with the rubbish.

"My black bin is completely full.

"I now have to put the bags outside as I have no other option.

"But pests come along and they get into the bin and make a real mess of the area.

"I have an extra large bin from the council due to my daughter's circumstances, but there are several other residents with young children who are in a similar predicament."

"The council really needs to collect the bins."

Local councillor Rabiya Jiva, said: "We have now rectified the situation.

"The bins are going to be collected.

"The work was carried out by an external company, and they should have alerted the council's bin department so that we could have made arrangements for residents in advance."