Fed-up residents say they have been left ‘trapped’ in their own homes after swarms of thousands of FLIES invaded their village. Homeowners in Leicester Park East, Leics., say the insects have been making their lives hell for the past few years – but this summer has been the worst yet. People are too scared to open their windows and doors over fears of being inundated by the bugs which also crawl over them while they sleep. Families have been unable to let their children play outside and barbecues and parties have been moved indoors or elsewhere ‘ruining’ the summer holidays. One resident even said it was like ‘living in a miniature version of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds.’ Frustrated locals blame a nearby recycling centre for the problem combined with hot temperatures and a move to fortnightly bin collections. They say the plague of flies is making their lives miserable, with dozens of dead insects collected in flytraps which hang from their ceilings. Gemma Clarke, 36, has lived in Maple Avenue for the last nine years and said her children had been left in tears by the issue, which spans a two mile radius.