Grotty mattresses and a rotting wardrobe are among the items which have now been dumped outside a block of council flats.

Cherry Close in Lakenham has become a hive for littering and fly-tipping in recent months.

Tenants in the council-owned apartments are sick of the rubbish being left for weeks on end.

A wardrobe and a bed were spotted by council tenant Michael Stewart-Watling, 75, as he went to put his waste in the communal bins last Thursday.

The wardrobe has subsequently been removed but there are now two mattresses propped up next to the bins.

Norwich Evening News: Fly-tipping continues in Cherry Close Fly-tipping continues in Cherry Close (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Stewart-Watling believes people are now travelling to the communal bins to ditch their items: "You can hear people drive in from Hall Road at night then turn in the drive and leave again. 

"Someone has purposely dumped furniture there and had no intention to ring the council.

"You would think these people would have some common sense and not do it."

Norwich Evening News: Cherry Close in Lakenham Cherry Close in Lakenham (Image: Denise Bradley)

Bags of food have also been left which has led to rats scurrying around, according to tenants.

Cate Oliver, Labour cabinet member for environmental services at Norwich City Council, said she will be reporting the fly-tipping in Cherry Close.

Norwich Evening News: Councillor Cate OliverCouncillor Cate Oliver

The Town Close councillor added: "It could well be that people are driving into Cherry Close and abandoning furniture.

"If anyone witnesses this then there is space on the online reporting form to give this detail.

"We are all feeling the pinch right now and I don’t think it is fair for anyone to deliberately dump furniture and expect the council to foot the bill because the council is all of us.

"The new Norwich South recycling centre is accessible and near to Cherry Close if you have a car.

Norwich Evening News: Mattresses dumped in Cherry Close Mattresses dumped in Cherry Close (Image: Denise Bradley)

"If not then we offer a bulky uplift service for a small charge. Charities will also collect.

"There is a whole host of information on our website and I want to thank everyone who does take a bit of care in disposing of unwanted items or rehoming them."

Norwich City Council has launched a new Love Norwich, Play Your Part citywide campaign to make the city tidy.
Norwich Evening News: Rubbish left in Cherry Close which has been uncleared Rubbish left in Cherry Close which has been uncleared (Image: Denise Bradley)

The authority says 95pc of fly-tipping is removed within 24 hours.