HOUSEHOLDERS in Tranmere say they are enduring a "living nightmare" after their homes became overrun with rats and mice.

One resident said vermin were running around her property "in their hundreds" forcing her to move out.

Eileen, 69, who insisted we do not publish her full name, has lived at Whitford Road for more than ten years and described the situation as "horrendous."

She said: “They were running around so fast from one wall to the other “It was horrific - it still is an absolute living nightmare.”

After becoming too distressed to stay in her privately-rented house, Eileen moved out to stay with her daughter in Derbyshire.

She paid hundreds of pounds to have her possessions put into storage.

She added: “It all started on Christmas Eve and I have not been living in my home since then.

"It was the constant crunching noise I could hear that really got to me - plus the smell from the vermin was horrendous.”

She has ventured back to her address this week but says she is forced to live and sleep in her front room, too frightened to go upstairs or into the rear of her property.

She is now hoping Wirral Council will be able to assist her during what she said was an extremely distressing situation.

Neighbours Katie and Chelsea, both aged 21, have also been affected by the infestation.

Katie, who also insisted we do not publish her full name, said: “I can’t sleep until I know they are no longer in the house.

“It's a terrible situation, I feel when people hear you have rats in your home they look down on you.

“It is a problem that is not of our making, though.”

She said her pet dogs have had to receive veterinary treatment after falling ill, thought to be caused by faeces left by the pests.

A council spokesman said: "There are two reports relating to these particular addresses. We are already working with the householder at one and the other, who reported the problem a week ago, is scheduled for a visit.

"Anyone who is experiencing a problem with vermin in Whitford Road, or any road, needs to report it to us and we will schedule a visit."