WILLOW Park is in urgent need of its very own pied piper after anxious residents and walkers reported several sightings of furry foragers.

An increasing number of rats have been spotted in and around the park and, despite the council's environmental health department being aware of the problem, residents claim things don't seem to be improving.

Householders acknowledge that visitors to the park who throw food to the ducks on Newton Lake are adding to the problem, but say that it would be unfair to ban feeding the birds.

Ward councillor Suzanne Knight said: "It's a difficult one and I really don't know what the answer is. They're obviously attracted to the area because of the leftover bits of food thrown to the ducks, but we don't want to stop anyone being able to do that. Lots of people, especially children love going to the park, for that every reason."

But a council spokesman said: "The problem is no worse than we would expect at this time of year but we have identified burrowing and nesting points in the park and we are treating them. Rats are endemic around park areas, or anywhere where there is water and soft soil, and it is not usual for them to be drawn into the open at this time of year when farmers' fields are being cut back. We put up signs asking people not to feed the ducks but this has been largely ignored, and we are again repeating that message as food left lying on the ground attracts rats."