A neighbour is blaming a convenience store’s 24-hour alcohol sale licence for “worsening” levels of litter and attracting rats in her garden.

MIR Food Centre, formerly known as Londis, in High Street, Wealdstone, was granted the licence at the beginning of March – despite restrictions on street drinking in the area.

The supermarket agreed to keep a door supervisor on duty throughout the early hours of the morning and also promised to ensure pavements outside are kept clear.

Mrs Grannell has lived in Grant Road, in Wealdstone, for 35 years but says fly-tipping has only become prevalent recently.

The 58-year-old believes that Harrow Council’s decision to allow 24 hour drinking has resulted in empty bottles being strewn on the pavements and rotting food dumped along her street, which backs on to MIR Food Centre.

She was also “disgusted” to see rats scurrying around her front garden and hopes something will be done to clear up the streets in Wealdstone, particularly behind the shops.

Mrs Grannell said: “The level of rubbish being dumped is becoming disgraceful and is now affecting people in their own homes.

“It is unbelievable that I’m now afraid of walking into my garden in case I see rats.

“People should not have to live like this, as it just keeps getting worse.”

Harrow Council responded that there was no evidence to suggest that litter has increased because of the 24 hour alcohol licence but said they will prosecute any nearby shops they catch fly-tipping.

Cllr Graham Henson, the portfolio holder for environment, crime and community safety said the council will also be introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order to try and crackdown on rubbish being left on private land.

He said: “One of the ways we’re making Harrow clean is by seeking a Public Spaces Protection Order in Wealdstone.

“This would help us stop fly-tipping and littering which is blighting this piece of non Council owned land behind the shops. And that’s why we are asking everyone to take part in our consultation which ends soon, so we can take action on this kind of behaviour - which we can all agree is pretty disgusting.

“Where we have evidence of people littering or fly tipping we will fine or prosecute them.”