'Fearless' rats plaque Blackburn traders (From Lancashire Telegraph)

'Fearless' rats plaque Blackburn traders

4:26pm Tuesday 4th September 2012 in News By Emma Cruces, Reporter

RATS plaguing Blackburn town centre are being spotted in daylight hours on a regular basis.

Businesses surrounding Blackburn Cathedral said they were affected by the animals, which were increasingly behaving in a bold and friendly way around people.

Reports have been made of rats are affecting the area near Morrisons, shops and businesses along High Street, the Boulevard and Church Street and they can also be seen running across the cathedral grounds, even during the busiest shopping hours of the day.

Pest control measures are keeping the rodents out of business premises, but they are said to still be a common sight.

Some businesses have said it prevents them using back yards and others say the rodents seem completely unafraid.

The problem has been a long running one in Blackburn because rats love water and there are miles and miles of sewers and culverted rivers under the streets of the town.

Morrisons superstore said shoppers could also help keep rats away from outdoor seating areas by refraining from dropping food, or feeding the pigeons.

Silverline Taxi firm employee Steve Taylor on Darwen Street, said: “They have been a problem for a while, at one point it was affecting us night and day.

“They are completely unafraid too. One used to come right up to the window and sit there with us watching the telly.”

Manager at Bios Naturcare Clinic, Karen Adele, said: “We won’t use the back yard, so it is a real problem for us at the moment. The council try to put poison down but nothing seems to stop them.”

Another neighbouring business manager added: “We had to seal the back yard with concrete, and they were still climbing the walls and the roof. We’re managing to keep them out, but I would love something to be done about them affecting this area.”

A Morrison’s spokesman said: “Our pest control system keeps these unwanted visitors out of the store and the immediate area but shoppers sitting outside can help out by not feeding the pigeons, as the discarded food can attract rats and mice.”

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