Is this the filthiest garden in Essex?
Residents living near the now-empty home in Stanley Wooster Way, Greenstead, Colchester, certainly believe it deserves that accolade.
They have been in touch with Colchester Council, which owns the property, calling for something to be done.
Who'd live in a house like this? - the back garden of the home in Stanley Wooster Way, Greenstead. Picture: STEVE BRADING
The piles of discarded bin bags and household items recall scenes from the Life of Grime television series about environmental health officers.
Council contractors are to be sent in and the clean-up operation is expected to cost hundreds of pounds.
The last resident who lived there has been re-housed elsewhere by the council.
Roy Clark, who lives nearby, said: "I've never seen anything like it in my life. I reckon it will take two or three of those big skips to move all the rubbish. You have to see it to believe it.
"I want to see all the rubbish shifted. The smell is getting bad now, and I don't actually live next door, I live a few doors down."
Susan Carter, also of Stanley Wooster Way, agreed with Mr Clark, adding she feared an infestation of rats was developing there.
Gordon Steed, area housing manager for Colchester north, said the first complaint he had was two days ago.
"Part of the process of making the home ready for the next people will be to deal with the garden."
Published Wednesday, June 11, 2003
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