A COUPLE are hitting the roof over the house next door.

The property in Hughes Street, Halliwell, has been empty for more than a year but neighbours Eileen and William Martin, both aged 62, say it is still filled with smelly bin bags of rubbish.

They also claim damp has leaked into their own home from the neglected house.

Mrs Martin said: "There is a horrible smell coming from the house. At first we thought it was gas but we have had that checked out.

"Our home had to be replastered and decorated at a cost of £1,400 because of damp coming through. Now we have more damp coming through upstairs."

She said she feared for the safety of her husband who had been forced to give up his job as an HGV driver because of illness.

"This is so stressful for someone in his condition. I fear that if there were a fire in the house next door I wouldn't be able to get him out.

"Several times we have seen people trying to get in and had to phone the police. We are both elderly and we both feel very frightened all the time."

A council spokesman said they knew the name of the house owner but could not trace him.

"One of our inspectors has called and the rubbish problem is being sorted.

"We've been able to check with one of the neighbours of the property and although they do have damp it is not clear whether this is being caused by the empty house. We will continue to investigate this problem.

"The neighbour on the other side was out and we're waiting for a convenient time to visit."