RATS are running rampant in Brierfield town centre and the problem has been made worse by the number of takeaways, according to a shock report.

The council is claiming the infestation in the centre of Brierfield is encouraged by people throwing away unused food from the many takeaways in the town. Coun Frank Clifford said: "It is a serious problem and I appeal to people to either take the leftovers home or wrap them up securely and put them in a bin.''

Coun Clifford said: "The rats are running rampant despite the council putting down more poison than ever before.''

He believed much of the problem was caused by broken, fouled up and blocked drains, the ownership of which was not known.

Coun Clifford said: "There is great concern about the problem by people who live in the centre of Brierfield.

"I am asking for council officers to carry out a survey of all these drains and come up with a programme for dealing with this rat infestation.

"I also want the co-operation of the people of Brierfield. I am sick to death of people feeding and encouraging the rats by throwing food down for them."

An elderly woman who lives in the town centre said: "Rats have been a problem for a long time but it seems to be getting worse. On one occasion I saw five of them at one time."

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