A South Lanarkshire Council candidate has shared his disgust at "horrendous" living conditions in Hamilton.
Gavin Keatts was delivering leaflets during his canvassing on Good Friday when rats began scampering across the floor within a block of flats.
Shocking images shared by the candidate show a vile mess of overflowing bins covered in droppings as the walls and ceilings of the building are plagued with damp and mould.
The Scottish Labour representative, who is standing for office in the Hamilton South Ward, says he was appalled at what he saw, adding that he has serious concerns for the living conditions of local residents.
Gavin told Lanarkshire Live : "Literally every block of flats had broken door access, severe damp and signs of vermin, rat and pigeon infestation.
"In one of the blocks, the damp was overwhelming throughout the whole block.
"Every flat I got into got worse and worse, and then one I got to a rat ran out in front of me where the bins were, and there were pigeons on top of the bins.
"And upstairs there was damp and mould. I looked all the way up the whole building and it was absolutely stinking.
"There were lots of bin bags next to the bins and things like that overflowing. And the pigeons were inside which are obviously causing all the droppings."
The local candidate understood the properties to be a mix of council and private home.
But SLC has since confirmed they do not own any property at the location in question on Quarry Street.
Gavin said that regardless of who owns the buildings, "it shouldn't be happening."
The would-be councillor has visited several properties in recent weeks, but says he has particular concerns in Quarry Street in Hamilton town centre.
Here, many of the homes are private, however, Gavin feels more support is required for all residents given the current state of their bins, and the buildings causing a "health hazard".
"It was honestly bogging", he continued. "There were pigeons, rats, droppings, the mould upon the walls.
"I was only putting leaflets through doors but I will go back and speak to the residents about it.
"In Hamilton it's very much a mixed bag of affluent areas and then the polar opposite in other areas.
"In the less affluent areas we have a considerable increase in fly-tipping and it's coming up time and time again.
"There also to seems to be an increase of rats in these areas.
"It's an eyesore, it sets a precedent of if 'folk aren't keeping it tidy then why should we?' and it's a breeding ground for vermin."
Gavin also raised a number of issues around Hamilton town centre with issues of fly-tipping and more overflowing bins being spotted.
He added: "Some of the rubbish we're seeing at bins are all lying out with sharp edges which is dangerous for kids playing in the area.
"I don't know how people are living in that. I honestly don't."
Also standing in this year's local elections for the Hamilton South Ward is John Ross, (SNP); Helen Toner (SNP); Lynne Nailon (Conservative and Unionist Party); and Celine Handibode (Scottish Labour).
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
