A Cumbrian couple whose family home was seen to be squalid and smelly have been sentenced by a judge.

Carlisle Crown Court heard police who called at the house in Workington in mid-June found the man and woman were both intoxicated.

Officers were greeted inside with a "pervasive smell of urine" and one saw animal faeces in part of the property. Children's toothbrushes were kept in a dirty kitchen which "had not been cleaned properly for weeks if not months".

And in the two pre-teen youngsters' bedrooms, mattresses were "badly stained" and there was insufficient bedding. There was "general squalor in these rooms, in particular," prosecutor Gerard Rogerson told the court.

The man and woman - both aged in their 40s and of previous good character - admitted child cruelty charges and were sentenced today.

Judge Tony Lancaster heard of the defendants' shame having been "unable to get on top" of their household chores - and their mental health problems.

However, Judge Lancaster was told the property had since been "transformed" to a "high standard".

As a result, he imposed 12-month community orders, and ordered the couple to undergo 20-day rehabilitation requirements.

The couple cannot be named to protect their identities of the children.