Shocking pictures have emerged of waste piled high above nearby trees and homes at a site in Willenhall. The industrial estate on Straight Road has become a dumping ground for the past two years.

       Aerial images show the extent of the disturbing issue, with heaps of bin liners, mattresses, wooden pallets and scrap metal left to rot.

       Fed-up neighbours fear for their health and safety and one resident has described the area as a “Third World slum”.

       Firefighters were previously called to tackle a blaze at the site on the Arrow Industrial Estate in April.

       Mother-of-two Gina Howells, 33, who lives nearby said: "It's not only a massive eyesore but a health and fire risk as well.

       "It absolutely stinks and we've seen rats running about. I'm worried for the health of my children and don't understand how it has been allowed to grow this big.

       "Surely somebody is responsible for it it but the council and Environment Agency haven't done anything about it so far.

       "It's left our area looking like a Third World slum. There's already been one fire, what if it happens again and spreads to our homes?"

       “It smells all the time and it's an eye sore, it’s quite bad and not very nice to look at. Usually, it’s all greenery and trees but it’s beyond the height of the trees and there’s all sorts of scrap.

       “Parents with children have to walk past on their way to school and it’s the first thing they see in the morning outside their houses. It’s not nice to walk out and look at and it needs to be moved."

       Crane company Wolverhampton Lifting is the occupier of the site where the waste is being stored and said work is being done to sort the issue.

       Director Steven Cookson said: "I have faced the issue and although the problem is not mine we are trying to rectify it.

       “I have told the Environment Agency I will sort the problem if they will help me."

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       A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We are aware of waste being stored at a site next to the Alvar Business Park in Willenhall.

       “We’re currently investigating the activities at this site.”

       Walsall Council added it was in contact with the landowner, which was not Wolverhampton Lifting, about the issue.

       A spokesman said: "We are also in dialogue with the landowner, who is understood to be taking action to remove those responsible for the problems.

       "We cannot comment further at this time as this is an ongoing case that may result in legal action."