Families say they are being plagued by rats which have infested the roof space and cavity walls of their homes.

The scratching noises are keeping children awake at night and some have even had to move out of their bedrooms because they are so frightened.

The problem is affecting around nine properties in Barton Mill Road, Canterbury - which are either part-owned or rented by Orbit Housing.

Residents believe the infestation has been caused by the lack of bins for their rubbish, which they have been asking the housing association to provide for more than two years.

They are also angry that Orbit has not helped tackle the rat problem or sent someone to examine the properties.

Instead, they have had to pay a city council rat catcher to deal with the vermin.

Tina Ullah and her 14-year-old daughter Tamina are among those affected in the terrace.

The 52-year-old teaching assistant said: “It’s horrible because you can hear them moving about between the walls and in the loft.

“It’s been going on for ages but despite our calls to Orbit, no one has come to speak to residents or investigate how the rats are getting in and what can be done to stop it.

“Because it is a terrace of properties the rats are somehow able to move freely between them. The rat catcher caught five in a neighbour’s home and found evidence of a nest in ours.

“We have had to hire the pest controller at our own expense but even he says the problem won’t go away until the properties have been examined to see how they are getting in and bins are provided for our rubbish.”

Tamina sleeps in the top bedroom but sometimes the noise is so bad that she has had move into another room.

She said: “It is quite frightening when you hear them scratching around just above your head and sometimes I have just had to get out because I can’t sleep.”

Mrs Ullah added: “We don’t put anything in our loft because the rats chew it up.

“Neighbours have had property destroyed and one had the wiring chewed through and had to call out an electrician.

“We really feel let down by Orbit who have just ignored us. In the past they have promised bins, but they never arrive.

“I have a shared ownership, but Orbit has the lion’s share and surely they should take some responsibilty.”

Another resident Lee Dyke, 44, added: “I have a flat and fortunately haven’t got the rat problem in my property. But the bin problem needs sorting.

“The bin store has nearly been full to the ceiling with black bags before and is quite disgusting. I’m not surprised it is attracting rats and it’s a health hazard.

“Orbit keeps promising us bins, but never delivers them.”

City council spokesman Rob Davies said: “The council’s pest control officer has been working at a number of properties in Barton Mill Road to tackle an issue with rats.

"Bait has been laid and several dead rats have already been removed.

“This work may need to continue for a while yet.

“We have spoken to Orbit Housing on many occasions about their need to buy wheelie bins for their properties and will be contacting them again to stress the importance of doing so as soon as possible.”

Catherine Charles, head of housing, Orbit South, said: “We are aware of the issue at Barton Mill Road and apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused.

“Brand new rubbish bins have been ordered and will be delivered next Tuesday.

“Our contractors will be clearing the area in preparation for the arrival of the new bins.”