Angry residents in Allerton have launched an attack on a cat sanctuary volunteer, saying they are fed up of years of mess caused by her cats.

Thirty-three cats are looked after by Jenny Sampson at her home in Rossmore Drive but now a petition is being launched by the residents who say the sanctuary is overrun and that cat faeces are ruining the gardens.

Retired neighbour, Elizabeth Robertshaw, said: "Basically we are sick and fed up of it. There has been so much mess and smell since planning permission for the sanctuary was granted five years ago and we, the neighbours, are all suffering.

"The smell and the state of our gardens is atrocious and strongly objectionable."

But Mrs Sampson hit back, saying that the sanctuary was run by volunteers who were doing their best to control the situation.

"The problem is we are totally inundated with cats and kittens at this time of year and we have no funds to help us. The food bill is so much and this is the worst time of year."

But she dismissed claims that cats were a menace to residents.

"There is no way that the cats are causing any damage. There is a nine foot fence around the garden and it is only a couple of them which roam around.

"I don't know why the neighbours are complaining. The cats are well looked after and it is private accommodation.

"The Council don't pay us like the dog wardens. We do everything ourselves and if the Council ran a neutering service then we wouldn't have this problem in the first place.

"Also, it is a private house and there is nothing in the deeds about me not being able to keep cats. People in Council houses have kept far more than me and not looked after them properly."

Councillor Valerie Binney (Thornton) said she had been contacted by residents and that a petition was planned.

"A meeting held last week was attended by about 20 people concerned about the number of cats being looked after at the house.

"Five years ago planning permission was granted for the sanctuary to be used as an overspill of the Cat Rescue centre in Prune Park but it was only one cat family that was supposed to be looked after. There are too many cats and it is too much of a nuisance. We applaud what Mrs Sampson is doing but the neighbours should not have to suffer."