DURHAM City Council has been criticised for introducing charges for some pest control services.

The Liberal Democrat-controlled authority is having to make savings of £900,000 because, it says, the Government did not give it enough money in grants.

Now, the council's cabinet has approved a £30 charge to householders for the treatment of wasps, bees and other pests which are not officially designated a threat to public health.

The service, run by the council's environmental health department, has been free until now, although many other councils levy charges - some much higher than Durham's.

The pest control service gets 2,000 requests for help each year, but many of them are for insect infestations that are not a health hazard.

The service has money-earning pest prevention contracts with local companies, but the Audit Commission has criticised the council for providing the service free to householders, which it says has led to the service's workload not being prioritised.

Councillors at a recent cabinet meeting heard that the free service for insect infestation was greatly appreciated by the public, but did not "encourage householders to take steps to prevent further entry into their properties".

The Labour opposition leader, Councillor David Bell, has attacked the move, saying charges could put off some people, particularly the elderly, from seeking help.

"I know of one person in a council house who recently needed three visits from pest control. That would now cost £90.

"The worry is that old people, particularly, might be put off calling pest control because of the charges even though the service they need might still be free.

"People might be able to get out to the local supermarket to get a spray to deal with an infestation - but what about people who can't get out?

"I wonder if we'll end up needing a Pied Piper in Durham because of this."

But the new charges were defended by cabinet member for finance Coun Carol Woods, who said: "It will free-up the environmental health to deal with the public health pests.

"People will think twice about calling the service and they will nip down to the DIY store and buy a spray and do it themselves."