Only one fully trained pest expert at council

A pest control expert said the rat population had grown over the last five years

A town council has only one fully qualified pest control expert despite growing concern about the number of rats in the area.

A 22-inch (55cm) long rat was recently found in Normanby near Middlesbrough and pest control experts said the population had grown "10-fold" in the last year.

Brian Sowerby, of Newton Aycliffe, who has 47 years of experience in pest control said the council needed more experts.

Middlesbrough Council said it had recently increased its pest control team from one to four technicians, with new staff undergoing training.

Mr Sowerby said that the back streets of Middlesbrough were "really bad" with overflowing bins and old takeaway boxes.

He said: "Over the past year the rat population has increased 10-fold, it's just unbelievable.

"The backstreets are really bad.

"People have more takeaways, the bins aren't collected as often, bags are overflowing and rats get into them."

He said the council's four pest experts would be getting constant calls and it would be "very stressful".

He also said council financial strain had meant pest control units had been cut at the "worst possible time".

A council spokesperson said: "Middlesbrough Council has recently increased its pest control team from one to four technicians who will address issues in back alleys and respond to requests from the public.

"The council does not offer a domestic service - residents experiencing problems on their own property must arrange their own pest control treatment."