Residents air concerns after spotting rats in Bolton during lockdown

After reports were aired about rodents being spotted in Astley Bridge, people living in other areas of the borough spoke up about seeing the furry animals.

With the rat population known to have been on the rise before the health crisis, it seems the pandemic may have added to the problem.

Emma Kennedy said: "I saw a massive one crossing the road near Andrew Lane Park in broad daylight.

"I told myself it was a squirrel at first."

Kirsty Foster added: "Bobby Heywood Park is full of them.

"I've seen a few running around and they are huge."

Joan Mann said: "(There are) loads on Nelson Square and we live in Tonge Moor and see them regularly."

Ian Smith, who has had his own pest control business for around 20 years, says he has been busy in recent weeks.

He said: “We have definitely noticed an increase in rat reports.

“Some years you just get that. It also happens when there’s been a milder winter.

“The council have not been doing pest control during the lockdown so that has probably contributed to it.

“We have had a lot more jobs that the council would have done. But some people do not want to pay privately.”

Last week, Bolton Council said it suspended its pest control service to follow the Governments lockdown rules for the safety of residents and staff. The local authority’s team has resumed sewer bating though, and are reviewing procedures to how other services, such as treatment in gardens and yards can return safely.

Earlier this year, The Bolton News revealed that the most visited postcode by the council's pest control team in 2019 was in the Middlebrook area with 100 visits.

Paderborn Court and Russell Street were placed second with 50 visits each.

And the surge in rats follows warnings issued in January in which pest control businesses expected a spike in calls over reports of a UK-wide "fly-tipping" epidemic.

Rentokil said there was a 34 per cent increase in rodent enquiries in December last year, when compared to 2018.