About 200 needles and a range of drugs paraphernalia was found scattered all over the flat in Inverness Road, Gosport.

When the two men who rented the property fled, the flat was left in such a bad condition that all the walls need to be painted and all the carpets need to be replaced, which will cost an estimated £2,000.

Amid all the needles and spoons, which are used for cooking up drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine, was a baby's bottle.

The two men who rented the property for eight months also owe the landlord, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal from drugs gangs, £700 in rent in arrears.

He said: 'Everywhere we looked there were needles – in the kitchen, in the bedroom and just scattered all over the floor.

'There were about 60 needles just dropped drown the side of the bed alone, I just couldn't believe the state of the place.

'When we walked in, you couldn't even see the carpet for needles, plates, half eaten food and animal faeces, it was just disgusting.

'I feel so let down because they seemed like okay people. They were unemployed and a bit scruffy, but another tenant had recommended them, so I even let them move in without a deposit, which I never normally do.'

The independent landlord was alerted to the empty flat by a neighbour who rang him after not seeing any activity at the property for a week and noticing that the door wasn't locked.

He paid a visit to the house last Thursday and saw the state that it had been left in.

A team of cleaners has been called in to carefully remove all the needles and rubbish that was strewn all over the flat.

Now it is expected to take weeks to paint, re-carpet and carry out repairs to the property before it is in a state to be rented out again.

Police have been notified of the incident.

rob.dabrowski@thenews.co.uk