A couple claim their lives are being made a misery because their Rolleston bungalow is infested with rats.

Sixty-four-year-old Pamela Jeffs and Edward Herbert, 69, say the vermin appeared in the attic of their Dodslow Avenue home just three months after they moved in to the Trent & Dove property.

In the couple's tenancy agreement it says that they are legally responsible for dealing with vermin infestations, but housing association bosses at Trent & Dove have said they will help and advise the couple as much as it can.

The couple, who do not work, say they cannot afford to pay for exterminators and are unable to access the loft themselves due to arthritis.

Miss Jeffs said: "We recently had workmen in doing our central heating and they went into the attic and said they smelt something bad - it's turned out to be rats.

Pamela Jeffs and Edward Herbert outside their home.

"You can hear them running around up there. Edward's got heart problems and it's making us both bad. The smell is just terrible.

"We told Trent & Dove about it and they've said they don't deal with problems like this.

"We just survive on state pension, so we can't afford to get anyone out and neither of us are capable of getting up there ourselves.

"They just suggested we get someone out to sort it out.

"Now we're just stuck here hearing them running about. - I just keep crying about it. I don't know what to do.

"I saw one of them running up the lawn the other day. I thought it was a cat at first, it was that big. It scuttled under the gas meter.

"It's disgusting. This is their property and they should come in and fumigate the place.

"We're vulnerable people and we've just been left in the lurch."

A Trent & Dove spokesman said: "During a heating installation at the property, what was thought to be rat droppings were discovered in the loft.

"Miss Jeffs and Mr Herbert were advised by the contractors to report the matter to Trent & Dove.

"Once we were made aware of the situation, both their housing officer and the tenancy manager have spoken at length with the couple, advising them of the options that are available.

"While vermin infestations are the tenant's responsibility (as outlined in their tenancy agreement) we are currently assisting Miss Jeffs and Mr Herbert to arrange for a pest control company to provide a quote to treat the issue.

"It is of great concern to us that Miss Jeffs and Mr Herbert have expressed financial difficulties and we have offered to meet with them to assess their situation.

"Trent & Dove have a range of support services available for any of our customers who are experiencing difficulties sustaining their tenancy and urge them to contact us on 01283 528528 or to visit our website at www.trentanddove.org for more information."