A PLAGUE of toxic caterpillars has forced residents of one Exeter street to stay indoors despite the sunshine.

Homeowners in Woodville Road, St Thomas, have been forced to shut their doors and windows after thousands of Brown-tail moth caterpillars took over their gardens.

The insects are covered in small hairs which can break off easily in a light breeze and cause an allergic reaction, rashes and, in severe cases, asthma attacks.

The caterpillars are understood to be coming from a disused railway embankment owned by Network Rail.

Retired Marion McPherson, 74, said the infestation was so bad she has considered selling her house.

"It is making my life hell. I used to enjoy sitting in my garden, but now I can't go out there at all. I have had to keep all my windows and doors shut to stop them getting into my house, which would be unbearable," she said.

"I had to stop my young grandchildren visiting over Easter because of them."

The Brown-tail moth caterpillars are a non-native species that don't have any predators. They have built hundreds of web-like tents on a disused railway bank and in trees in the Ashwood Road allotments.

Mike Evans, 49, lives beside the railway line and has been killing as many of the caterpillars as possible.

"They are everywhere and are stopping me using my garden," he said. "The problem is the sheer number of them on the railway line – me killing a few doesn't make any difference."

Dave Richards, a licensed trade stocktaker, 59, also lives beside the infested railway line and his garden backs onto the allotments. He said the only way to eradicate the problem was for the railway line to be cut back and the foliage burnt.

A Network Rail spokesman said: "Our engineers have been on site to inspect the problem since it was brought to our attention. Plans are now underway to examine a suitable solution."

The council said it inspected the allotments in March because of previous infestation, but there weren't any tents around at the time. He said the creatures has emerged early this year because of the warm weather. It will be undertaking works to some trees on the allotment boundary this winter to reduce the chances of the caterpillars using them.

The spokesman said: "We have contacted residents and explained the situation. If anyone comes across these caterpillars they should refer to the advice on our website before attempting to deal with them."