Emin in tirade over rubbish

Artist Tracey Emin, famous for her £150,000 unmade bed, has accused her local authority of failing to clear rubbish from near her London studio.

The artist, who scattered cigarette butts and empty bottles over her famous installation of an unmade bed, said Tower Hamlets council was attracting vermin by allowing too much rubbish to accumulate near her 2000 sq ft studio just off Brick Lane, according to reports.

Her tirade came at the meeting of the Brick Lane Residents' Association. A witness told today's Daily Express: "Emin said it was disgraceful and gave council officials a really hard time. She thought that the litter would encourage mice and other vermin into the area."

A Tower Hamlets spokewoman said there were two collections a day near Miss Emin's studio, but added: "If any residents have problems with waste accumulating they should contact us and we will send a team of inspectors. We would be happy do so for Tracey Emin."