Pest control officers say rats are increasing in Nottinghamshire

Rat numbers are on the increase because of the unseasonably mild weather and festive leftovers.

Nottingham City Council has put up posters asking people not to drop litter in the fight against rats.

Mansfield District Council is carrying out an annual rodent sewer treatment programme to control rat numbers.

'Excess food'

Mansfield is one of a declining number of authorities to provide a free service to residents who have infestations of rats or mice at home.

Risk and community protection manager Clive Shipman said: "Rats love this time of year, because there is often a lot of excess food waste around.

"I would ask the public to be especially mindful about how they dispose of waste and so help us keep the rat population in check."

Overflowing wheelie-bins with unsecured lids have made it simple for them to gorge on leftover food.

Officers have urged the public to keep bins shut, not to drop food litter and be aware that rats will also nick titbits put out for other wildlife.