Exotic pets - including snakes and lizards - kept in a Cleator Moor house have raised concerns among residents.

However, environmental health officers, the RSPCA and landlords Home Group who visited the Melbreak Avenue property say the pets are being well looked after and pose no risk to the public.

The animals are said to have alarmed the community with some residents claiming they are too scared to leave their home and suffering nightmares and panic attacks due to fears about the animals escaping.

Following checks at the house, Hannah Davison, Home Group housing manager, said while the organisation understood "reptiles and spiders are not everyone’s preferred choice of pet, the animals do not pose a risk to the public and they are well cared for.

“We usually limit customers to two pets in the case of dogs or cats as these can have an impact on neighbours,'' she said. "In the case of animals in cages or tanks housed within a property we judge matters on a case by case basis.”

The animals' owner was contacted by the News but declined to comment. RSPCA spokeswoman, Leanne Plumtree, said: "An RSPCA officer visited an address on Melbreak Avenue, Cleator Moor to check on the welfare of a number of exotic animals - including snakes and lizards - living there.

"All were in a good bodily condition and at the present time we are satisfied that their basic needs are being met. Whilst some exotic animals need a licence to be kept, many species do not and are widely available and kept as pets."

When asked about the situation, Pat Graham, managing director at Copeland Council, said: “We were asked to look into this and our environmental health officers visited the property. We saw nothing of concern and will not be investigating any further.”

However, some residents on the street say they are considering moving out, while another resident is sleeping at their their grandmother’s house every night because they are scared about the animals escaping.

Resident Sally Ann Lyle, 44, said: “We’ve got elderly people and young children living here - people are having nightmares because of it,” she said.

Margaret Grears, who has lived on the street for 55 years, said: “I don’t want to leave the house. Who would want to live next door to that many animals? It’s just not on.”