A POORLY Greenock man told today of his 'absolute terror' at returning from hospital after suffering a stroke to find his home infested with RATS.

Jim Cameron says he was so panic-stricken he could barely breathe after opening his kitchen door to find four 'dirty big beasts' scurrying around.

Mr Cameron, 63 — who has several serious health issues — told the Telegraph he has barely eaten since making the revolting discovery:

He said: "I've not made a meal in 16 days.

"I'm too scared to use my kitchen — absolutely terrified.

"I've been buying hot pies, bridies and fish suppers, it's cost me an absolute fortune."

Mr Cameron, who lives in Westburn Buildings, suffered a stroke which left him hospitalised for two days and was met with the infestation when he got home.

The River Clyde Homes tenant said: "I contacted the housing association but I feel as though I wasn't being believed.

"I had to wait a full week before they eventually sent out a rat catcher but he couldn't find any and put poison pellets down.

"He actually told me that there shouldn't be any rats at all.

"My house is a tip because of all this and I've had to sit huddled in the living room with my kitchen door shut tight.

"I've been too scared to open it."

Mr Cameron — who has suffered multiple heart attacks in the past and walks with the aid of two sticks — added: "I told the housing association straight on the phone, 'Either you get me a hotel or I'll get a hotel myself and send you the bill'.

"I'm at the end of my tether with it all, my nerves are torn to shreds.

"My next door neighbour has rats as well.

"This whole place is hoaching with rats.

"I came home from hospital and as soon as I opened the kitchen door all I saw was four dirty big beasts running about all over the place.

"But it's only now, after a dead one was found after the poison was put down, that the housing association are coming to do anything about it."

Mr Cameron — who is deaf in one ear and partially deaf in the other, has had his gall bladder removed, has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and also has a cyst on his brain — added: "My neighbour smelled what he thought was gas, but it turned out it was the smell of a dead rat in my cupboard.

"The gas man came out and he opened up the cupboard under the sink to reveal a great big dirty rat lying there dead with the poison pellets all around it."

River Clyde Homes says work will now be carried out on Mr Cameron's home to eradicate the vermin.

Service improvement manager Craig Russell said: "Officers from our housing team have been in contact with Mr Cameron and our contractor was instructed to attend to the immediate matter of removing the rats that Mr Cameron reported.

"Furthermore, arrangements have also been made to carry out works to investigate and seal any other points of entry.

"We are confident that this should prevent any further access but will monitor this moving forward."