An Ipswich woman has spoken of her five-month battle with bed bug infestations in her tower block.

Elaine Frost, 65, has lived in Cumberland Towers for the past two years.

Since June, she says the sheltered housing in Norwich Road has been "swarming with bed bugs," with infestations affecting multiple flats in the block.

"I am literally going out of my mind with stress," said Ms Frost.

"I walk the streets until four in the morning so I don't have to sleep in my own home. I can't take any more, my health is at breaking point."

Ms Frost works at Greggs and added that she "can't live like this" as she has to get up for work at 4:30am with little to no sleep every morning.

Over the last five months, the flat has been treated five times by Ipswich Borough Council but Ms Frost maintains that the issue persists.

"The traps don't work," she said.

"I'm in an endless cycle of spraying my bed and washing my sheets at hot temperatures all the time.

"I've even bought a wooden bed, but nothing seems to be working at all."

The predominant site of the bite marks on her body are her arms, stomach, back and legs, but she says they've appeared "all over at one point or another".

Ms Frost added: "My bedding is ruined and the blood just doesn't fully come out in the wash."

In a desperate state, Ms Frost says she has doubts as to whether the Council are taking her concerns seriously.

An Ipswich Borough Council representative said: "Following the initial report, an investigation into the matter was launched and treatment was rolled out. 

"However, when the infestation returned, the Council, alongside pest control, administered treatment not only to all of the affected flats but also those located directly around them."

"This included the installation of bed bug traps for every flat as well as regular spray treatments. The Council, its pest control contractor and the residents actively worked together to prevent the spread and eradicate any infestation.

"The Council will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action if it is identified in the future that the problem has reoccurred."