A couple have had to store rubbish in their car after 'rat-infested' bins in their block of flats were left to overflow by the council.

Communal bins at Smith House in Walcot have been left to overflow - with the recycling waste not being collected for two months.

The residents say this has has attracted rats to the property, which has caused further damage and stress.

After contacting Swindon Borough Council several times and getting nowhere, the couple, who moved into the block in January, are desperately looking for a solution.

Swindon Advertiser: The bins have rarely been emptied all year according to residents.The bins have rarely been emptied all year according to residents. (Image: Newsquest)

“Our neighbours are just dumping them in the bin store as you cannot even get in there at all as it was so full,” said one of the residents, who wished the remain anonymous.

“There were piles and piles of cardboard and we have also had rats as the cables under the van were chewed through.

“We’ve had to pay hundreds of pounds to fix the van which is money we do not have.”

The 38-year-old has called the council quite frequently this year but the bins continue to be left overflowing.

“They occasionally pick up the general waste, as and when they feel like it,” said the resident.

Swindon Advertiser: Piles of cardboard have also been left for weeks.Piles of cardboard have also been left for weeks. (Image: Newsquest)

“I feel annoyed and angry because we are paying a lot of money for these places.

“We cannot afford to move out so we just need it to be sorted.”

For the last three months the pair have been filling their car and van with the excess bags of recycling.

“We leave them in the van for storage until there is enough to justify visiting the tip with it,” they said.

“We are still ordering lots of new furniture as it’s a new flat so there is a lot of packaging to get rid of.

“Next week we are buying a new bed and we are already panicking as to how we will dispose of the mess.”

Swindon Advertiser: Residents have had to store bin bags in their vehicles due to lack of space in the store.Residents have had to store bin bags in their vehicles due to lack of space in the store. (Image: Newsquest)

A Swindon Borough Council spokesperson said: “We can only collect waste when our crews are able to get to it.

“The bin store at this block of flats is regularly inaccessible due to the huge amount of discarded items, which are often left there.

“One of our waste wardens will contact the management company responsible for the block of flats to arrange for the bins to be tidied so that it allows us to regularly collect the waste.

“We will also ask that the doors to the waste bin are secured so that only authorised people can leave their rubbish there.”