A couple say they are ready to leave Folkestone behind due to the constant and potentially hazardous rubbish that is left scattered on their road.

Russell Taylor and Jennifer Harper have put their Coolinge Road flat on the market after "losing the will" to live there.

They say needles, razors and other litter lines their street, with the council ignoring "repeated" calls for it to be cleared away.

As well as the rubbish problem, the couple have suffered criminal damage, including smashed windows and graffiti being sprayed on their car doors.

Mr Taylor, 47, said: "We only moved here a year ago and it has not been a good experience.

"It's a shame but we've had enough and now want to return to Eastbourne."

The couple moved to the town from Sussex in a bid to shorten the commute to London.

But they fear the blade-riddled rubbish will eventually cause injury to a child or animal, with Coolinge Road situated only 100 yards from Christ Church Academy.

Mr Taylor said: "It's constant; it has got worse and worse over the months.

"The alleyway the school children walk down is very bad - there have been needles down there.

"We've seen razors in the road.

"I wonder how long it will be before a child cuts themselves or worse.

"It’s a combination of negligence by the council refusing to remove rubbish or the contractor, and ignorant residents who refuse to place litter in bins.

"Basically, the council needs to ensure the streets are cleaned and fine residents who are obviously littering and fly tipping.

"Stronger penalties need to be enforced to stop individuals from making other resident's lives a misery.

"I among many other residents have complained repeatedly about the problem to the council. We’ve even contacted the MP.

"The last correspondence stated that the the street cleaner couldn’t see a problem - no wonder viruses are spreading.

"We really have lost the will to live on this road. Hence, we’ve put out place on the market."

Folkestone and Hythe District Council has now slammed the "selfish attitude" of people who litter.

A spokesman said: "We have received two complaints about dumped waste in Coolinge Road so far this year - one of which was submitted on Friday.

"The rubbish in question has since been cleared.

"Unfortunately, some residents in the area are placing extra black sacks next to their bin on collection day despite the fact they know our crews won’t take them away.

"This selfish attitude blights our environment.

"People must dispose of their waste correctly or risk formal action. We have recently issued a number of cautions regarding this issue and are keeping a close eye on the situation."

The Folkestone Town Sprucer team have also noticed a rise in vandalism in Folkestone in recent weeks.

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