A MARRIED couple have been fined after failing to clean-up their rat-infested property.

Cheshire East Council took action against Steven and Violet Roberts after neighbours complained about rubbish piling up at the front and side of the end terrace home.

The couple were served with a statutory notice under the Public Health Act in June last year, which ordered them to clear the rubbish and take steps to treat the infestation at the house in Lawton Street, Crewe.

Now they have been ordered to pay more than £850 after being found guilty at South Cheshire Magistrates Court of ignoring the warning.

Mrs Roberts pleaded guilty in writing to the court and was fined £116. Her husband failed to attend the hearing, but was found guilty in his absence and fined £175.

The pair must also each pay costs of £266, along with victim surcharges of £15.

Several bin bags full of rubbish, as well as empty beer bottles and fast food takeaway cartons were still visible at the side of the property yesterday afternoon.

Neighbours said they were pleased action had been taken.

David Morrey, aged 24, who lives on Lawton Street, said: "I often walk past the house and think what a mess it is.

"It's been like that for a while and people have been walking past and throwing their own litter into the garden, because they think it's a dumping ground."

One neighbour, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he had seen rats sitting on the front window sills inside the property before.

He said: "They're quite an old couple and they have lived there for a number of years.

"You rarely see the man, but I've seen the woman a few times, usually collecting the mail from outside.

"I went and knocked on the house last year, because there were lots of bluebottle flies in the window and I was worried something might have happened to them.

"It's not so bad in the winter, but the smell from the house in the summer can be horrendous sometimes.

"I've walked past and seen rats sitting in the window before, just like cats do."

Councillor Rachel Bailey, cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, said: "This is something the council takes extremely seriously.

"We will do everything in our power to tackle homes where waste and vermin have become an issue.

"We have a duty to the wider population to keep our neighbourhoods clean, tidy and free from vermin."

If the house is not tidied, the council will contact the couple to request compliance with their original notice.

No-one was available for comment when The Sentinel approached the home yesterday.