Residents in a block of flats woke up to maggots in their bedrooms following the death of a neighbour.

A man had not been seen for a few weeks and his body was yesterday discovered at his home in Kingston Court, Northfleet.

But a day on and despite people living at the block scrubbing as thoroughly as they can the worms are showing no signs of disappearing.

One woman, who has two young children and did not wish to be named, said she has repeatedly phoned Gravesham council about the issue but is getting no where.

She said: "My son woke up to maggots in his room.

"He's got autism and I don't want to tell him what happened but imagine my embarrassment if he goes to school and telling his teacher there's worms in our house makes me so upset.

"The police came yesterday and told us there were maggots on the stairs so to be careful. I had to lead my two children out with their hoods up.

"But the council just aren't doing anything. I'm absolutely disgusted with how they've acted."

The woman said they'd come and taken away his body and made attempts to clean up but had not ridden the block of the larva.

She had bleached the flat again but the insects have returned and as yet the council has still not attended to fully clean the man's flat.

She added: "I knew him and he was a lovely man, he'd hold the door open for you and was always polite, but he'd often disappear for days on end so to not see him for a week or two wasn't unusual.

"I don't want to come across as insensitive, of course I'm upset he's died but this is a terrible situation. It's not fair on the families here."

A Gravesham council spokesman said: “Our caretaking team have been carrying out deep cleans of the communal areas since yesterday including sanitising hallways and doors.

“Our specialist cleaning contractor is attending the property this afternoon to undertake a much deeper clean of the property and the communal areas, which will eradicate the issue.

“We understand residents have found this a difficult time and we thank them for their assistance.”

Another resident said he "felt sick" and "just wanted out" because of the situation.

He added: "Why haven't they come out here and cleaned his flat? He was found at 5am yesterday.

"Granted they've cleaned the communal area but if they don't sort out the flat then obviously the maggots and flies will keep coming back.

"They've even gone into the neighbouring block."

It is not believed the death is suspicious.