Fly blitz continues on village

Experts have been called in to look at the problem

Residents of a Wiltshire village under siege from tens of thousands of house flies are deserting their homes.

The infestation of Collingbourne Kingston, near Marlborough, is thought to have been caused by the hot weather and muck-spreading on nearby fields.

Rachel Cannon, mother of 18-month-old Rufus, has left her home following the recent infestation.

She told the BBC: "Last week there were 15 or 20 flies crawling on Rufus when he was sleeping and that was the last straw."

'Terrible incident'

Another house in the village has been pronounced unfit to live in and Kennet District Council has offered the owner other accommodation during fumigation.

Environmental health officers are continuing to investigate the problem.

The council has described the problem as "a terrible incident" and has called in world-renowned experts in agricultural fly control from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Bristol University.

The flies come to the area every year - but never before in such extreme numbers.

Council officers are advising residents to put up net curtains, keep houses ventilated and keep work surfaces clean.