RATS have been running riot at an old sausage factory in Rishton.

The rodents have been attracted by flytipping at the demolished factory between Noble Street and Haworth Street.

Residents and local police officers have complained to councillors about the problem. The site was boarded up, but flytippers have continually dumped items ranging from builders’ waste to household waste, despite the site being cleared by council workers on a regular basis.

Coun Ken Moss said an environmental team would be contacting the site’s owners.

He said: “The sausage factory has been knocked down for a good ten years now. There’s been efforts to keep the site tidy and secure but people have tipped and rats have appeared.

“It’s a periodic problem but pressure will be put on the owners to come and clean it up.”