RATS may be ignoring poison bait boxes in Thirsk because there so much take-away food and other litter discarded in the streets.

Hambleton District Council environmental and housing officer, Eric Kendall, said this was probably one reason why there had been more reports of rats near the river. Food thrown out for ducks was also part of the problem.

"We are dealing with rats spotted near the picnic area on the river by placing baiting boxes, but some rats are ignoring them," he said.

Several people have written to the D&S Times about the rat problem, Mr Kendall said he was not aware of a specific problem with other infestations.

Some residents of Finkle Street say they dare not open their doors, despite the hot weather, for fear of rats entering their homes.

One woman has kept a diary of each day she has spotted rats near her home. "One day we spotted a rat on three occasions, one as big as a cat," she said.

"A concerted effort is needed in the town before this problem becomes a much bigger environmental health risk. We have been baiting now for three months, but the rats are still coming."

Mr Kendall did not think the rat population had increased, but said: "If residents know better, I would ask them to contact this department and we will investigate it. It may be that there is a sewer problem."

Many people were reluctant to do so because the council now made a charge for rodent control, he added.

* It was reported in last week's D&S Times that the number of calls for pest control has dropped since the introduction of fees.