The family of rats was confined to one room at the hospital

Rat catchers were brought in to Brixham Hospital - which was recently praised for its cleanliness in a national survey - after staff investigated reported sightings of small rodents.

The room was not occupied at the time and it has now been sealed off.

Health officials stressed the discovery of the rats was confined to one room.

This isolated incident is not a reflection on the general standards of hygiene within the hospital Dr Adrian Jacobs

Dr Adrian Jacobs, from the Torbay Primary Care Trust, said: "We would want to reassure patients and staff that, although this incident may have caused some concern, it has posed no threat to patient safety or care.

"It is also important to understand that this isolated incident is not a reflection on the general standards of hygiene and cleanliness within the hospital."

Staff are hoping to reopen the room at the end of the week when eradication work is complete.

Last week the hospital was one of 80 nationwide to be awarded a "double green light" for its standards of hospital cleanliness and quality of food.