A woman says she is "living a nightmare" and can't open her windows due to the smell and swarm of flies from litter left behind her home.

Andrea Bolwig, 74, frequently has to climb a fence to enter her flat due to flooding caused by rubbish-clogged drains.

Rats, filth, human waste, shouting, and drug deals are just some of the problems Andrea and other residents face at the flats behind Dalkeith Steps on Old Christchurch Road.

Andrea said: "I can't sit on my patio; I can't open my windows because the smell and the flies get in.

"No one is taking responsibility."

(Image: Submitted)

Behind Dalkeith Steps are three blocks of flats owned by three separate landlords.

Between the three blocks is one designated spot for rubbish, a locked cage where residents have been asked to dispose of bin bags. This was installed by the private landlords, not the council.

(Image: Submitted)

Rats and mice easily fit through the cage's gaps, and several residents don't use it, leaving rubbish along the path.

Andrea's son, Paul, bought the flat for his mum after her husband passed away, moving from Spain so she could be closer to her family.

Paul said: "Who would want their mother to live like this?

"It's been so frustrating; I've been trying to get the council or the managing companies to take responsibility for over two years.

"My mum moved here with great expectations, to be close to her family, and now I wish we hadn't bought it.

"The thing is it wouldn't take much effort to install some more bins. I just want BCP Council to intervene."

The issue has been ongoing for a number of years, and Paul set up a petition in 2021 to clean up the area, amassing nearly 200 signatures.

Paul added: "The area is incredibly unsafe, there are needles everywhere, human faeces and ASB.

"It is only a matter of time before something goes wrong."

The landlords of 91, 93 and 95 Christchurch Road have been approached for a comment. However, no response has been given.

A spokesperson for BCP Council told the Daily Echo, “Our officers have engaged with the management companies to find solutions to these issues."

The council explained that it is difficult to intervene because the area is privately owned.