A GREENOCK mum claims her family's health is at risk after her home was invaded by mice.

Jacqueline Melvin, who lives in a flat in Rankin Street with her two children, Ashleigh, 10, and Kyle, eight, says she has found mouse droppings scattered all around her home.

The 42-year-old says she has heard the rodents scuttling around during the night and is worried the infestation could become worse if landlords don't deal with it urgently.

She said: "It's making me sick, both physically and mentally.

"I've found droppings behind my sofa and under the kitchen sink.

"They are crawling everywhere in the night clearly.

"It's causing me a great deal of stress and I'm worried about my children's health and wellbeing.

"There's also a wheelie bin behind the flats that is not being emptied and I fear that may be attracting them."

Jacqueline says she has complained about the issue to her landlord River Clyde Homes.

She said: "They came out to see me last week and took photos.

"I'm hoping they will deal with it quickly."

Jacqueline says she also has a problem with dampness in both her bathroom and kitchen which she has reported to the housing association.

Craig Russell, service improvement manager at RCH, says pest control experts visited Ms Melvin’s home within 24 hours of her reporting the issue and that repairs are in hand.

He said: "They left some bait boxes and provided advice on how to minimise the recurrence.

"A follow-up visit was made on Tuesday of this week.

"We understand that discovering vermin can be stressful and River Clyde Homes will carry out the minor repairs under her sink recommended within the contractor’s report.

"We will also write to residents of the block to remind them to deal with their household waste correctly and not to feed the birds as this can attract mice and other creatures into the garden area."

The housing association says an assessment of the property found no structural dampness but there was evidence of condensation.

Mr Russell said: "The fan in her bathroom was upgraded earlier this month and the already-installed air circulation system was extended to other parts of her house.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and to provide advice on how reduce condensation in her home.”