A WOMAN has been fined for hoarding waste after piles of rubbish (pictured above) that built up in her yard led to a rat infestation.

Julie Travis, of 267 Marshalls Cross Road, Marshalls Cross, has been fined £155, including costs, by St Helens Magistrates' Court for allowing domestic waste to build up.

She had failed to comply with the requirements of an abatement notice served under the Environmental Protection Act.

Complaints had been received regarding accumulated waste at Travis's property on three occasions. On each occasion the Environmental Health team arranged clean ups and recharged her for the work.

Councillor Seve Gomez Aspron, cabinet member for environment, said: "Everybody has a duty of care to make sure that their waste is disposed of responsibly .

"This prosecution case shows that St Helens Council will not tolerate such situations within our borough and will use legal action if necessary to address situations such as this."