A BLOCK of flats on the Thames View Estate is so badly infested with mice that the council will treat the entire building to try to eradicate the problem.

More than one in 10 residents say they are affected by the mouse problem plaguing properties in Bastable Avenue, Barking.

The council says it will now bring in pest controllers to treat all the homes in this particular block of flats after the POST contacted them about a single mum’s mouse infestation.

Vicky Ford, who lives in the affected block, was horrified when she woke to find a mouse crawling across her baby boy’s face as he slept in his cot.

The young mum said that ever since she moved into the flat in November last year there were problems with mice and she was considering taking legal action against the council.

She says pest controllers have been to the block five times in the last seven months, but the traps and poison do not appear to be working.

“The place is overrun,” said Vicky, 21. “The last straw was when I woke up to find a mouse crawling across my baby Charlie.

“No-one should have to live like this.”

Vicky said her property was deemed “fit to live in” despite the mouse infestation.

The single mum-of-two has sent dozens of emails complaining about the conditions and has since been visited by housing bosses and pest controllers.

The council carried out a survey of neighbours living in the block and found that 12 per cent reported mouse problems.

Housing officers now say they will extensively treat the infestation.

A spokesman said: “Due to the nature and extent of this infestation we are currently in the process of arranging a full block treatment to deal with mouse problems in this particular block of flats.

“A questionnaire has been sent to all tenants to find out who has a vermin problem.

“We have had responses from 41 per cent of residents and 12 per cent of them have reported mice.

“Households that have not responded will be visited to find out if they have a mouse problem.

“Once we know the full extent of the problem throughout the block pest control will visit to carry out treatments and give advice on preventative measures.”