AN infestation of bedbugs in flats on Sandy Hill, Farnham, has been labelled "a nightmare" by angry residents forced to move out of their homes by the unwanted and uncontrollable pests. The properties affected, on Toplady Place, Sandy Hill, were first treated in December last year but the bugs keep moving from flat to flat. Efforts to remove the bedbugs have so far proved futile and desperate measures are now being sought in a bid to remove them for good. Pavilion Housing and Waverley Borough Council's environmental health team have been working together and fumigation was carried out at two of the affected properties last week. "Me and my partner just woke up one morning and the place was crawling with bugs," explained one resident. "We called the council who came and took our bed away, but told us that we had to stay living there as they couldn't re-house us at the time, It's a nightmare." Pavilion explained how an infestation of bedbugs was first treated in December last year, but they have since spread into adjacent flats and are still there, despite repeated attempts to remove them. Residents of Toplady Place were offered alternative accommodation, which they accepted, choosing to move rather than share their house with bugs. The infestation has now spread to two other flats and looks set to drive more residents from their homes. Peter Marriott, Farnham town councillor for Upper Hale, described the situation as "unacceptable" and urged all parties concerned to work together in finding a solution. He said: "This is a difficult problem, but clearly unacceptable. It's up to Waverley and Pavilion to work together to help the residents but it's the responsibility of all parties involved." He went on to describe his surprise that the situation hasn't been dealt with already. He said: "It might mean taking extreme measures, such as burning furniture, but I can't see how it can be incurable, although Waverley did tell me that it was the worst case they had ever seen. "Unfortunately it could happen to anybody. All you have to do is bring in something that has them on it and your house could be infested. It's as simple as buying an old picture and hanging it on your wall or acquiring antique furniture from an auction." A Waverley Borough Council spokesman said: "The effective destruction of bed bugs is notoriously difficult as they can be present for some time before being noticed and can move between adjoining properties." At only six millimetres long, bedbugs are a reddish brown colour and conceal themselves in small cracks and crevices in furniture, and mattresses. At night they "feed" on their victim by sucking blood, leaving red itchy marks that are normally noticeable on the upper body. The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) urges people to look out for tell-tale signs of the bugs, such as marks on themselves, black marks on furniture or mattresses and a "distinctive odour". A spokesman for the BPCA said: "If an infestation is suspected, homeowners must not try to tackle the problem themselves. Firstly an accurate diagnosis must be made.  "If the presence of bedbugs is confirmed, then an extremely thorough treatment will need to be carried out by a professional pest controller."  Pavilion explained how an inspection of the flats last Monday led to treatment being carried out the next day and temporary accommodation has now been offered to residents. A spokesman for the housing association said: "We are making the necessary arrangements and will also provide compensation for any furniture or carpets which were damaged or destroyed as a result of the recent treatment." He added that following "urgent discussions" with specialist pest control company, Ecolab, all 12 properties are due to be treated again this weekend. Victor Duckett, Waverley borough councillor for Upper Hale, sympathised with the residents affected by the bedbugs. "It's unfortunate that it's been going on for so long without me being aware of it," he said. "It must have been very distressing for all of those involved, but the first I heard of it was last Friday. I suppose that people felt that they didn't want to bother me with it, but that's what I'm here for. "At the end of the day it's embarrasing to start with, but it quickly becomes really inconvenient. I hope that they manage to get rid of the pests for good at the weekend."