"WE can't carry on living like this."

Those were the words of angry residents who say they are "living in a ghetto" after a trail of mess was left in a Southampton city centre street.

Locals living in Bedford Place and the Polygon spoke of the "disgusting" state of the area, with battered sofas, sodden mattresses and piles of clothes all left outside homes.

They have accused students, some who have left the area after tenancy agreements were fulfilled, of leaving the mess.

One resident said: "It's like we're living in a slum...we can't carry on living like this."

It is unclear if the mass littering was left by students, those who permanently live on streets such as Milton Road, Harborough Road and Newcombe Road, feel it is and want them to be more respectful to the area they have lived for the past year.

A resident, who lives on Harborough Road, said: "They need to show a bit of respect when they leave because we all have to live here after they are gone. It's not really fair.

"We've made them feel part of the community then they do this."

He added: "Landlords need to do more, but ultimately it's the students that really should be held responsible."

Another, who wished to remain anonymous, said that after she had spent thousands on her new house, she would never be able to sell it at its actual value due to the area.

She added: "I feel embarrassed living here. The place is an absolute eyesore. It's not helped by the local bars having happy hours but it's disgusting to live around here."

Students who had just moved into the area also said they believed the place looked horrible and that if students were to blame they should be punished.

Longtime campaigner and leader of the local Residents' Action Group, Lorraine Barter told the Daily Echo the problem had been present for at least 30 years.

She said: "You will never make this area bearable because it is a house in multiple occupation ghetto and has been for 30-years.

"One of the worst problems is the students leaving bags of their stuff outside their homes and scavengers come out at night and rip through the bags to see what’s inside.

"These are people who go through the bags and just leave it all loose.

"It creates rubbish across the area."

A spokesperson for Solent University said it has not been proven that the mess came from students.

The university insisted that it encourages students to be good neighbours within their local communities and runs campaigns promoting recycling throughout the academic year.

The spokesperson added: "We have an ongoing partnership with the British Heart Foundation, which this year includes promotion of their ‘Pack For Good’ campaign around campus.

"The university also works with the local council to fund an extra rubbish collection at this time of year, to support those students who are moving out of their private accommodation."

A spokesperson for the University of Southampton said: "We run a scheme each year to encourage students to donate unwanted items to charity.

"This year, supported by the students’ union, we are asking them to give to the British Heart Foundation’s Pack For Good scheme and have set up collection points in our halls of residence, which are accessible for both students who live in halls and those in private accommodation.

"Last year, over 12 tonnes of unwanted goods were collected, worth around £22,000 for the charity. The Students’ Union also makes a financial contribution to help pay for extra refuse collections in some areas of the city."