RESIDENTS have expressed outrage at the state of a former pub in Darlington.

The site of the old Jack Horner pub on Whitby Way has been broken into over recent years and is now being used for fly tipping.

Those living close to the site, which is located near Mount Pleasant Primary School, now say the rubbish has resulted in the presence of rats in the area, and they concerned for the safety of residents and the effect on house prices.

Peter Galloway, who lives on nearby Wimborne Close, called it a “disgrace”.

“Once in a blue moon, someone does come and clear it out, but it continues to attract fly tippers and vermin.

“House prices in the area are bound to be affected with the sight and smell of the ever increasing rubbish thrown in.

Mr Galloway said plans were in place for the pub, which has been closed for around a decade, to be turned into a rehabilitation unit for former soldiers, but those have since been abandoned and the building is now “crumbling away”.

“I have approached the council several times and they constantly tell it is the responsibility of the tenant and therefore nothing gets done.

“I live just a few hundred yards away and I can see the rubbish building up - something needs to be done about it.”

Another resident Mark Hutchinson, urged the council to do more about the issue.

“It is surely a health hazard and it is only going to get worse and affect more properties in the area.

Mike Hunter, who also lives on Wimborne Close, said: “The council came last year to clear to clean the place it up but it has just built up again.

“We have had to pay for a rat catcher at our own expense, and they have said the rats have more than likely come from the pub.”

Darlington Borough Council confirmed they were aware of the concerns the residents had raised and they were looking for a more “permanent solution” to the issue.

A spokesperson for the council said: “We recognise the concerns of local residents.

“We have contacted the tenant in the past to enforce clearing the site and they have always complied.

“Our pest control team is also aware and the problem will be dealt with in due course.

“It is hoped that a more permanent solution will be found.”