PENSIONERS and thousands of poor people will no longer be plagued by whopping charges for getting rid of insects and mice.

A cut-price rate to exterminate pests could be brought in so people needn't be afraid of the cost.

Currently, Bury Council charges residents for all pest control services except getting rid of rats. Prices range from £20 to £38 to get rid of insects, wasps, mice, and even squirrels.

At the moment, only people who receive income support or family credit have these charges waived.

The proposed new system will mean that OAPs and those who receive council tax benefit will pay just £10. Everyone else will pay £37: different scales apply to business properties.

In 1998/99, the department dealt with 3,607 complaints: the most call-outs were for rats (926), wasps (804) and ants (719). Bosses say charges have not been reviewed for many years, and worry that some potential customers may be put off by too high charges.

One option was for a flat fee of £10 for everyone, but this would cost the council too much money.

Instead, bosses have decided to look at the exemption system and change the criteria.

They say the current system has disadvantages. It often excludes people on a low income who are not on income support or family credit. Also, it is difficult to check people's claims with the Benefits Agency. Thirdly, in theory, a household with a large income could claim exemption if the person requesting the service, for instance a son or daughter, was on benefit.

In contrast, the proposed scheme covers anyone on low income, and people's entitlement to a waiver can easily be checked from the council's records.

The idea was given a unanimous welcome by councillors at Wednesday's health, housing and social services review panel. The report will now be sent to the Labour-controlled cabinet.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.