BAGS filled with rubbish, permanently fixed rat traps and mounds of dog dirt are not sights you would want to see just metres away from Skipton High Street.

Yet, hidden away behind the shops on Newmarket Street is a scene akin to a Third World country.

Three Rentokil rat traps have been fixed to the ground and are surrounded by supermarket bags that have been dumped along with broken umbrellas and fast food cartons.

Businessman John Kerwin-Davey, who owns a number of nearby properties, said it was absolutely disgraceful.

He said: "It looks like a Third World country. It must have an effect on local businesses."

However, there is hope that the problem will be resolved shortly.

Craven District Council has served enforcement notices on landowners who have until today (Friday) to clean up the area.