Footage of a pack of squealing rats desperately trying to get out of a large bin in Glasgow city centre has emerged.

The video that shows the rodents has been shared with the Glasgow Times and cleansing staff said it highlights the environmental health hazard facing the workers and the public.

When the lid is opened, five rats can be seen scurrying around, attempting to climb out of the large steel bin and can be heard squealing loudly as workers back away and look on.

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GMB union in Glasgow representing cleansing staff said workers are confronted with vermin across the city on a regular basis.

The video was taken at the corner of Cambridge Street and Buccleuch Street, earlier today.

There are a number of bins at the site for recycling and food.

Glasgow Times:

The bin where the rats were spotted was a food recycling point for Glasgow City Council.

It was at the site beside a block of flats, close to the ramp leading to Cowcaddens Subway station and around 200 metres from Sauchiehall Street.

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The union has said four members have been taken to hospital in the last year after rat scratches or bites.

It has called for an emergency to be declared in the city and for additional funding to be made urgently available to employ more workers to carry out a clean-up to make the city less attractive to rats.

Last week, the Glasgow Times reported how Humza Yousaf had been invited to spend a day with cleansing workers to see what they are faced with.

Glasgow Times:

Chris Mitchell, GMB convenor said: “We have been raising this for a long time. It is getting much worse.

“Before the workers would come across one, or maybe two, at a time but now it’s five, six, seven at a time.

“It’s the sheer volume they are having to deal with.”

Glasgow City Council said the bin has been replaced.

A spokesperson said: “Our environmental health team has received no reports of rats at this location.

“We have robust health and safety procedures in place to support staff who may encounter infestations in the course of their work.

“If staff do encounter an infestation they should advise their supervisor so that our environmental health team can be called upon to take appropriate action.

“This bin is well-used for food waste and is regularly serviced but there has been a build-up of residue that has attracted rats in search of food.

“The bin has been removed and replaced with one that’s been refreshed.

“In a city with over 300,000 homes, thankfully only a small percentage of properties are affected by rats at any one time.”