RESIDENTS living in a Worcester street say they are fed up of the mess left by students in the area which is causing rats to enter their homes.

People living in Middle Street in the Arboretum say they have had trouble with a house of students of the University of Worcester since they moved in in September.

One resident, who your Worcester News is not naming, said she has lived in the area for 30 years and has never had trouble before.

"There are many shared houses, with many people of many nationalities living all around. We are a multicultural area and it's great, we've never had any trouble with any neighbours before. We've had a number of students move in over the years and they have been absolutely brilliant. We all take care of our homes," she said.

"But this year a new set of students moved in to one of the houses, and they have had no regard for anyone. We've made complaint after complaint about noise and nuisance but now it's at an all time low.

"There is rotting rubbish left on the floor outside the house, which is disgusting. The most recent lot has been there for two weeks because the council won't take it away as it's cross-contaminated. With the hotter weather it really smells terrible. One of my neighbours now has rats in her house as a result of the mess.

"Some of our cars have been the subject of student 'pranks' and quite often the students are having parties and playing loud music through the night. A recent party was held at 2.30am on a Monday morning when my husband had work the next day.

"We have approached them to try to talk to them. We have even offered to take their rubbish to the tip for them. But we just get abuse.

"We are very understanding and we know there will be parties and students will want to have fun, which is completely fine, but at sensible times."

A spokesman for the University of Worcester said: "The University is aware of residents’ concern surrounding Middle Street, and has taken steps to resolve these issues.

"The students involved have been reminded of their responsibilities under the local authority-led Environmental Protection Act, the potential consequences of failing to meet these responsibilities, and of the University’s Student Code of Conduct, which all students are required to sign.

"The University of Worcester actively encourages all of its students to play a positive role in the local community, to build up good relationships with their neighbours and to act as responsible citizens.

"The University also takes its own responsibility to the community extremely seriously, and seeks to resolve any issues that arise in an efficient and effective manner."

Your Worcester News tried to contact the students but have not heard back from them.