A LANCASTER family who reported a rat infestation at their council house were devastated this week when they discovered a rodent in their living room crawling over their baby daughter.

Grandmother Bernadette Jackson says the incident has shocked her family who complained two weeks ago to their landlords, the city council.

On February 2 council rat catchers visited the house on Chestnut Grove following complaints of rats and set four bait traps but, following this incident, Mrs Jackson has called for more to be done.

"My daughter Antonia woke up on Wednesday morning and put the baby down in the living room and went into the kitchen to make breakfast," she said.

"When the baby started screaming she went to see what was wrong and saw a rat which looked like it was biting the baby's hand. It was eventually cornered and killed but it's disgusting. You shouldn't have to bring up a baby in conditions like this. It's a health risk."

The family reported the rodents to the council two weeks ago after hearing them scratching - though they had not seen one.

Antonia appears unharmed but has to go for a jab. A council team revisited the property that day to take action.

Mrs Jackson added: "The council wanted to charge us £10 before they sent the rat catchers round. It's up to them to make sure that council houses are fit to live in and while there's rats everywhere it's totally out of order."

A council spokesman explained: "I can confirm that we were contacted by the family on February 2 and four baits were set. We visited the property again on Wednesday to take further action. With regard to rats on the Marsh it's no different to anywhere else in the district."