PENDLE residents who use the council's pest control services are being reassured that materials used are fully approved under the Control of Pesticides Regulations.

In addition they are only used by professionally-trained officers in accordance with safety guidelines and manufacturers' advice.

The reassurance is being issued after recent announcements regarding the withdrawal of certain products for sale for use with domestic pest infestations due to human health concerns.

Stuart Arnott, the council's principal environmental health officer, said: "Members of the public can be confident that the materials used by the council's pest control officers do not contain the material which has been at the centre of the recent withdrawal scheme.

"All members of staff are very conscious of the need to ensure that our operations are as safe as possible. We carry out regular reviews of our procedures and materials and ensure that each pest control treatment is subject to an individual risk assessment."

Any householder in Pendle who wishes to make use of the council's free pest control services should contact Environmental Health on 01282 661661.