A rat infestation sounds more Dickensian than modern day.

But this is what Burgess Hill resident Katy Downton and her neighbours are facing.

They have no refuse bins so they put their rubbish in bags outside, which has now attracted a swarm of rats.

Mum-of-two Katy, who has lived in Charlwood Gardens for five years, said: “Ever since I moved in I have been asking for wheelie bins, but the council said they have no plans to give us them.”

Although in Burgess Hill, the road falls under Lewes District Council’s remit.

Katy added: “My neighbours and I were astounded to hear that we are getting recycling bins when we can use the current recycling crates.

“One lady has been here for years and had never seen a rat before they added more housing estates in Valebridge Road.

“Five people in my terrace have had the council out for rats but we still have no bins.

“We are worried about the children being in the garden and feel the council should take this seriously.

“We are right on the East Sussex border and often feel neglected, and not prioritised.

“There is so much building work that the rats’ habitat must have been disturbed.”

Scott Reid, manager of customer and neighbourhood services team for Lewes District Council, said: “We do not force residents to have bins but if they want to they can buy a 140-litre bin for £20 or a 240-litre one for £30.

“We do not have a major rat problem here, but we are more than happy to send a team out to investigate and will tell Environmental Health.”

Katy said: “Free wheelie bins are commonplace for most boroughs.

“Unless everyone buys at the same time the problem continues.”