Dozens of dead rats have been left decaying in residents' gardens after a west London council blunder.

Poison was put down by the council two weeks ago in gardens in Conifer Way, Hayes, after residents complained about the rat infestation.

But as the rats started to die, Hillingdon Council said it would not be taking the dead bodies away.

Carol Walker, 50, of Conifer Way, said: "It must have been two weeks ago that I phoned the council. This gentleman came down and I showed him the shed and where the rats were coming from at the side and he put a box down.

"I think the box has some kind of poison and the rats take it and then they die.

"Well, they have died, but now there are dead rats lying everywhere, and the council said they won't come and get rid of them."

"One neighbour has a load of dead rats in this box."

Her neighbour Leonard Boddy was told by the council that he would have to pick up the rats and dispose of them himself.

He said: "When I got up in the morning I saw two dead rats in the garden. I got the bus and went down to the council. I took photos to show them the dead rats but they told me it wasn't their responsibility to clear them away.

"What am I meant to do? I am 76 years old and I have a bad knee, am I meant to go around collecting them up and then dispose of them? I don't even know where to put dead rats."

Widowed Mrs Walker said: "I think it is so unfair, Mr Boddy had an operation not long ago on his knee, he is not a young man. And they told him he has to clear the dead rats away."

She added: "I spoke to the council and they seemed very confused about whether they would dispose of the rats or not. The woman I spoke to said she thought our road was private houses, then she said she had made a mistake as we are council, but they wouldn't come and clear them.

"My husband died recently and I am just not up to dealing with things like this. He would have dealt with it but he's not here. It's horrible, dead rats everywhere. I can't even keep the back door open for the dog to run in and out - what if the rats have some disease and the dog gets it?

"I can't go and sit outside and eat my lunch or anything. And it is going to be horrible if the weather gets even hotter."

Hillingdon Homes, which manages Hillingdon Council's housing, has apologised over the confusion and says it will be removing the dead rats.

Tim Price, chief executive of Hillingdon Homes, said: "Hillingdon Homes investigates all complaints of rodents on council property and removes them once they have been exterminated.

"We apologise to Mr Boddy for any inconvenience caused as a result of him being given incorrect information and, in line with our policy, we will be removing the dead rats."