A mother has hit out at the district council for not removing a "rat-infested eyesore" from outside her home.

Kathleen Lawless claims a truck filled with building material and rubbish has been sitting outside her house in Humber Avenue, Jaywick, for over a year.

Despite asking Tendring Council to take it away, it has not been moved.

Miss Lawless said as time has passed, the lorry has become a dumping ground for other people's litter and now rats have moved in.

She claims it is a health hazard for herself, her 15-year-old son and their neighbours.

Miss Lawless said: "It's full of rats and been there for a year and the council has been informed. It smells as well."

Tendring Council spokesman Mike Page said the problem was first reported in February, when checks showed the vehicle had a registered owner and was not abandoned.

He said: "Subsequent checks since it was reported again show that the previous owners claim to have sold it.

"Now we can't find the subsequent owner we are taking strides to remove it and that will happen in the next week."

Published Wednesday August 11, 2004

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