A 67-year-old from Edgware is being “driven mad” by unsightly and unhealthy rubbish outside her flat.

Jan Graham and her 65-year-old husband Eric have lived above a shop in North Parade, Mollison Way, Edgware, for 17 years.

But eight years ago the whole block was divided up and sold. Since this happened, the road outside has become a dumping ground for everything from food waste to beer bottles.

Mrs Graham said: “It drives you mad. It is no way to live. I would like to move because it is just awful.

“All I want is for somebody to clear it up. I try to keep it clean myself but I am fighting a losing battle.

“We are too old for this now. I can’t believe it has been allowed to happen.

“I can’t bear it.”

Because the area looks so untidy already it has also started to attract flytippers from other areas.

It is also frequently abused by men who urinate against the walls.

Mrs Graham, who works part-time at Spitalfields Market, said: “It is disgusting and it is starting to pose a health risk.

“There are huge rats climbing all over the rubbish.”

She added: “All I want is to see it cleared up regularly. Either the landlords or the council have to do something about it.

“If things have got this bad here I can only imagine what it is like in other places.”

Mrs Graham has raised her concerns at Harrow Borough Council meetings.

However, it is currently not clear who owns the road, meaning that she has been unable to establish who is actually responsible for carrying out any rubbish removal work.

The Harrow Times is awaiting a comment from Harrow Council.