A SALTCOATS couple have opened up on a neighbour’s out of control “jungle” garden that has been left to overgrow for six months – apparently causing rats to enter their home.

High Road’s David Farrer and Joyce Saddington have said that the garden adjacent to theirs has received no treatment in the last six months, with the couple saying that the overgrown weeds and grass has made the abandoned lot resemble a “jungle”.

The situation has made their life a misery as the wait for the area to be cleared by the council continues into next week.

The thick flora has become a haven for rats and even a fox according to the couple, and an apparent recent incident saw the couple watching television in their living room one night when “a rat”scampered across the living room floor.

Contractors have since been contracted with the council to deal with the locked off mess, however that has brought on other problems as there is no clear route to clear the rubbish except through neighbouring gardens.

Distraught David told the Herald: “The contractors that came round said it would be unfair to drag the rubbish across two gardens, ours and the flat upstairs.

“Pest control says there is a fox evident in the jungle, and we have had rodent problems.

“We just want it cleared and to ensure the rodent problems have been cleared too, it’s

the least we would expect.”

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “A contractor has been appointed to clear and cut the garden at this property. Due to access issues, alternative access arrangements have had to be made which we discussed with residents this week.

“We are now in the process of arranging the works to be carried out next week.”

On the incident of pests, the spokesperson added: “Our Pest Control Officers have recently undertaken a survey in the gardens of this property and a number of those nearby and can confirm that no evidence of vermin activity was seen.

“If required, we can undertake a further survey and if any evidence is noted we will approach the owners to ensure treatment is carried out.

“We have no legal powers to be able to deal with foxes. If, like bird feeding, the feeding of foxes cause other environmental problems such as odour, flies and vermin, then we can investigate and take whatever action is appropriate.”