Fly plague in village making life 'intolerable'

Residents in a village plagued by flies have said the situation has become "intolerable".

Lynn Hill is among a number of people in Sileby, Leicestershire, affected by the infestation, which she said has left her unable to open her windows.

"My goodness me, it's horrendous," she said. "I've got around 20 in the room at the moment. It's awful."

Charnwood Borough Council said a poultry farm in the village is the "likely source" of the flies, and added that further controls have now been put in place at the site.

People in the village said flies have been an issue in previous years, but this summer the situation has become worse.

Hill, of Northill Close, said the situation had become unbearable.

She added: "It's awful. Every minute I'm in my living room I can't put food out or anything like that. It is horrendous.

"They're landing on me. It's been going on now for a whole month, how they get in or whatever, I don't know.

"It's the sheer volume of flies, its intolerable, it really is."

Colin Readwin and his wife Helen, of Heathcote Drive, are also suffering with the insects.

Colin said: "This year, we believe, the fly infestation in this bungalow has been the worst it's been in the six years we've been here.

"We're having building works done and there's been exposure of clay and we put it down to that, but hearing everybody else in the village had the fly infestation, we don't think it is.

"We've had candles going, we've had fly spray, we've been flicking them with dusters and they're buzzing around your head. It's awful."

Charnwood Borough Council believes Sunrise Poultry Farms, in Seagrave Road, is the likely source of the flies.

A spokesperson said: "Officers have visited the farm, and the operators already have mitigation measures in place and further controls have been added following the clearing of a shed, which is likely to have increased fly activity.

"The measures include further insecticidal treatment and reviewing the management of waste."

The council said it was hopeful the issue had been tackled, but added: "We will continue to monitor the situation and are working with the Environment Agency which issues a permit to the site to operate the poultry farm."

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency added: "Our officers are investigating these issues and working alongside the council to resolve.

"If residents have environmental concerns they should call our 24/7 hotline on 0800 807060."

Sunrise Poultry Farms has been approached for comment.

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