A PENSIONER from Amersham says she has been unwittingly feeding families of rats which have taken up residence at her home.

The 87-year-old, of The Avenue, Amersham, says large rodents are forcing their way between gaps in her wire mesh bin and tearing her black refuse bags.

She told the Free Press: "Over the last two weeks, every time I hang the new bag into the bin an animal has made holes in the bag and got food out of it. I thought it was cats, and went on putting food in the bin.

"But recently my grandaughter saw two very big rats in the back yard."

The OAP, who has asked not to be named, said she had been told her neighbours had also seen rats in their gardens.

"If it happened to my dustbin, it must have happened to other people's," she added. "We have all been feeding rats without realising."

The Free Press revealed last week that reports of infestations of the brown rat in the Chiltern district have soared at over six times the national average rate.

There were 707 sightings in the district last year, compared with 510 the year before a 39 per cent increase. The rise nationwide was just six per cent.

The National Pest Technicians' Association and the Chesham-based Chiltern Pest Control Services have attributed the increase to businesses and private residents leaving food where rodents can get at it.

The resident of The Avenue says she refuses to use her wire mesh bin and wants to replace it with something more solid.

She added: "Now the council won't collect the old bin. They say if they collect it they'll have to charge me £7. But if I go on using the old bin I'll keep on feeding the rats.

"I think the council should supply OAPs like me with a different kind of dustbin."

Chiltern District Council spokesman Peter Mudge said the authority had never provided dustbins to residents.

February 15, 2002 10:30