A pensioner says she has been left scared to leave her home after spotting a large rat sat on her lawn.

The 78-year-old said she also contacted the council but got told they would not be sending anyone out until March.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said it is one of few local authorities which provides a free pest control service, so the waiting list was long.

Murial Booth, who lives in Tintern Crescent, Little Harwood, said she had left her house and saw the rat sitting on her lawn.

She said: “It was not scared or anything. It was massive. It frightened me to death.

“I was meant to go out but I just decided not to and missed my bus.

“Earlier I got told by a neighbour there were a number of rats scurrying along the back wall. It has got really bad round here and something needs to be done.”

She said she rang the council and was told there would be no one available to visit until next year.

“What is the point of that," she asked.

"By then we could be completely overrun. They need to be coming out straight away or within the next few days.

“They should at least make an earlier visit to help vulnerable residents like me.”

Murial said she had spoken to other people living on her street of a similar age.

She added: “They are disgusted as I am. I was thinking of moving but it is not that easy.

“Once I had a rat inside the home and I just had to sit outside in the freezing cold and did not go back inside until it was removed.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council urged people to call a private contractor if they needed someone urgently.

A council spokesperson said: “The reason for the extended wait is that Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is one of the few local authorities who offer a free service for rodent pest control, which results in us being inundated with requests. 

“If residents need an urgent pest control treatment, then they should contact a private pest control contractor, who will be able to attend much more promptly.

“We do endeavour to bring appointments forward if and when possible.”

The council website also says visits for rats and mice are free for indoors only. 

However, there are charges for other call outs including, cockroaches: £70 (up to two visits), fleas: £70 (up to two visits), wasps: £60 (per visit), bed bugs: £165 (per room), garden ants: £45 (per visit) and moles.