Residents who created a "rats' paradise" in Preston by dumping dozens of bags of rubbish near their own doorsteps could face prosecution.
Fly-tippers have caused a stink by repeatedly abandoning rotting garbage in gated alleyways off Herschell Street in Frenchwood.
And Preston Council investigators reckon the rubbish mountain has come from people living just yards away from the ginnels.
Waste enforcement officers who searched through the bags found evidence linking the rubbish to four addresses in Herschell Street and neighbouring Halsbury Street.
The offenders will now receive warning letters and visits from investigators. They could face £100 fixed penalty fines or prosecution in court if they fail to clean up their act.
Gary Gibson, waste enforcement and monitoring officer at the council, said: "People don't think they are doing anything wrong but it's disgusting. They have got to live here but they are turning it into a rats' paradise.
"They are letting themselves down and it's a shame."
Soiled nappies, a designer handbag, a widescreen TV, two suitcases and a huge tree trunk were among the litter cleared up by council staff this week.
A clean-up can cost more than £1,000, which has to be footed by council taxpayers.
Waste which could have been recycled also has to be placed in landfill if it has not been separated and dumping costs more than recycling.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "We've been living here a year and it's got bad just recently. We've had two mice in the kitchen because of it.
"People are putting things out for the binmen which don't fit in the bin and then they get left."
The council crackdown follows a similar operation in Avenham Place in January, which saw 20 people receive warning letters or visits from the council.
The street has since been kept clear of rubbish.
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