A BUSINESSWOMAN, who has abandoned plans to sell her cafe because it is blighted by rubbish dumped in a rear yard, says she is "dreading" the summer because she fears another infestation of rats.

Kathleen Rose, owner of Ye Old Tea Shoppe in Fore Street, Cullompton, claims vermin attracted to a "disgusting" yard in New Cut, to the rear of her food business, caused trade to suffer last year.

She also believes Mid Devon District Council has not been firm enough with the owner of the land to ensure waste dumped there is disposed of properly.

Mrs Rose, 59, who said the yard is a constant issue, added: "I can't live like this. I am dreading the summer as last year I had maggots climbing up my wall.

"My dog came out with a whole chicken one day, so imagine what that would be like in the warmer weather.

"We had rats out there last year and when I came down and opened the back door a rat ran inside and my dog chased it all the way up New Cut.

"We have got a second inner-door now as I don't want anything running upstairs.

"We could do a lot with that land. We could have tables out there or use it as a garden ourselves. But it is quite disgusting and I think the council is out of order to allow the risk of rats near a food business.

"We have had to take the business off the market as people go out there and look at the back, which turns them off. I haven't got a hope in hell of selling it, especially with the recession.

"But when I tell the council they just fob me off. I still have a notice in the window to tell customers the property or the rubbish out the back is not ours. But the council should tell the owner to have the place cleared once and for all," added Mrs Rose.

Mrs Rose, who hopes the council will provide more bins to the yard owner so rubbish bags are not left for cats to tear open, says she is often criticised for writing letters to the Gazette highlighting how the problem affects the cafe which she and her husband Ed live above.

The couple started a petition last year and gathered 70 signatures from customers who agreed the site had become a health hazard to the shop and residents of the side street which is in the town's conservation area.

Mid Devon District Council environmental health officer Gordon McGovern said: "In May 2009 we received a complaint about dumping of rubbish. We issued an order for this land to be cleared, which was complied with. Since then, we have always reacted quickly to any further complaints. On occasions where he have found rubbish dumped, we have contacted the landowner, who has removed the rubbish.

"As a precaution the area is monitored on a regular basis for rats and we take appropriate action to prevent any rodent infestation developing."