Firefighters were called to a blaze behind flats on Ellisland Drive at 3.20am on Sunday after a sofa, which had been dumped, was set alight.

The sofa was one of several items which had been carelessly left behind the flats.

Residents claim the problem has been getting worse for the past few years and that, despite tenants being told about the free council uplift service, objects including sofas, desks and carpets have been thrown from the upstairs windows of the flats and left to rot.

Margaret Thomson, secretary of Harestanes Tenants and Residents Association, said: "I'm really angry because I feel as if it's affecting the whole area and bringing the tone of the whole place down.

"I'm annoyed with the situation in general and I think it's an indication of the deterioration throughout the whole of Harestanes."

The council was unable to comment for this week's issue.

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