A FAILED business, which is due to close early next month, caused fears rats would invade part of Honiton town centre – after contractors Biffa stopped collecting rubbish from the shop.

A FAILED business, which is due to close early next month, caused fears rats would invade part of Honiton town centre - after contractors Biffa stopped collecting rubbish from the shop.

Overflowing bins and a growing pile of cardboard at the side of Threshers, in High Street, have become an environmental health worry to those living in Angel Mews.

The rubbish was also partially blocking the shop's fire escape. It was expected to be cleared as your Herald went to press.

Threshers went into administration two weeks ago, when refuse collections ceased.

The cut price booze shop is set to close on December 2 with the loss of jobs.

Former town councillor Liz Tirard's kitchen window overlooked the mountain of rubbish.

"It's been there for a couple of weeks - ever since Threshers went into administration," she said.

"I can see two overflowing bins and there's a lot of cardboard - rats will love it. There has been a rat problem in High Street in the past."

Mrs Tirard complained to East Devon District Council, fearing the rubbish would continue to accumulate until the shop closes.

A spokesman for administrators KPMG said on Monday afternoon that the matter was being looked into urgently and that action would be taken to remove the refuse.

The rubbish was expected to be cleared by the end of tomorrow (Thursday).