“Hundreds” of bin bags have been piling up in a Seven Kings street - leaving rats, flies and a horrible smell for residents.

The rubbish is added to the heap in Chester Road until Redbridge Council is alerted and removes the waste, when the pile starts growing again.

A resident, who did not want to be named, said the problem had started after a new block of flats was built.

He added: “One person starts putting bags down then everyone does. It’s become a dumping ground for that part of Seven Kings.”

A council spokesman said flat developers failed to notify refuse collectors before people moved into the block, meaning collections were not arranged.

He added: “We are now making the necessary arrangements with the developer for collections to commence so that these issues can be resolved.”