A pensioner is fed up with the dumped rubbish in a neighbouring garden and the rats which she claims it is attracting.

Margaret McKinna says that the flat next to her in Stevenson’s McGregor Avenue has not been occupied for 10 years and the mess which has built up in the property’s garden over time is “an eyesore”.

Margaret says the garden has gradually filled with waste, seemingly from people flytipping, and is overrun with vermin.

But the 77-year-old feels that North Ayrshire Council and Environmental Health are not taking her concerns seriously.

Margaret said: “It’s an eyesore. There’s rubble, mattresses, white goods like fridges – you name it.

“It’s terrible. Who’s doing it? I don’t know. You come outside every day and there’s more piled up.

“There’s rats there but the council are saying they’re not coming from there [the garden], they’re coming from the burn. I’ve been there 36 years and we’ve never had rats before. It’s only been in the last few years.

“I have been at Environmental Health and the council umpteen times because this has been going on for years now. They don’t seem to be doing anything about it.

“You can’t see anything for trees, it’s all overgrown. I want to paint my fence, but I can’t because it’s so overgrown with trees.

“It’s went on for years and years and no one seems to be doing anything.”

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “Our environmental health team have inspected this area twice in recent months and found no evidence of rat infestation.

“We are aware of the condition of the garden and have been in touch with the owner requesting they arrange an uplift.

“We will continue trying to engage with the owner with a view to resolving this situation.”