Discarded food blamed after 22-inch rat found

A 22-inch (55cm) long rat was found in a house in Normanby, near Middlesbrough

Thrown-out food and new housing developments are being blamed for rats getting "bigger and bigger" after a 22-inch (55cm) long rodent was found in a house.

It was discovered in Normanby near Middlesbrough and residents said an increase in vermin was being made worse by new housing projects forcing them out of their habitats.

Conservative councillor David Taylor, of Eston ward, said fly-tipping and the large number of takeaways in the area was adding to the problem.

Redcar and Cleveland Council has been approached for comment but previously said it did not provide pest control for non-council houses, but did offer advice to residents when possible.

Councillor David Taylor, of the Eston ward, said housing developments were driving rats out of their natural habitats

Taylor said: "We've had about five or six brand new housing estates taking up a lot of what is probably rat natural habitat so it's just driving them inwards to look for sources of food elsewhere.

"They're going in the long grass to breed and then they're coming out to look for the food sources from takeaways."

Conservative councillor Paul McInnes, of the Normanby ward, said it was not the first time residents had complained of "rats the size of cats".

"Litter is a problem. With the amount of food that is available to them, they are getting bigger and bigger."

Residents believe the rats are leaving holes in grassed areas like this one in Cleveland Street in Normanby

Brian Sowerby, of Newton Aycliffe, has worked in pest control for 44 years and said the largest rat he had ever caught was 17 inches (43cm) long, also found in Normanby.

He said: "Empty properties and development cause a big problem because when old sewers are dug up, the rats come to the surface and they've got to run somewhere."