A BUSINESSMAN has raised concerns over a possible increase in rat infestations across East Lancashire following claims that Britain's rat population may reach 160 million by the end of the year.

According to the British Pest Control Association, 207,929 rat treatments were administered in England in 2013, with 16 per cent of these cases reported in the North West.

Carl Dent, owner of Pest Control Blackburn, said he had noticed an increase in rat-related call outs.

He said: "Rat infestations have got out of control.

"We find in a lot of instances the rats are immune to deterrents."

Mr Dent said he blamed the use of poisons, particularly bromadiolone, which he believed was being incorrectly used by many people and had led to more rats becoming immune.

"A lot of people are buying bromadiolone and only using it once. It needs a second visit by the rodent to be effective.

"We want B&Q and other shops to stop selling it as it's making our job harder.

"We would ask people to not use it or use it in the correct way."

Mr Dent also said that rats were increasing in size due to a rise in litter and food waste.

"Rats are getting bigger because we have become a 'throw-away society'.

"Rats have a natural life span of 18 months but this is increasing to 24 months.

"The reason for this is that rats are a naturally stressed animal but now the stress of finding food has been taken away due to so much food being chucked away."

Cllr Jim Smith, Blackburn with Darwen executive member for the environment, said: "We have an environmental health rat team who are given regular training.

"I advise people to dispose of food waste responsibly in metal bins, as rats cannot get into them."

Kevin Higgins, membership manager of the British Pest Control Association, said: "Local authorities have reported an increase in rat population and our membership have reported an increase in call outs.

"There is so much food waste around that it makes perfect conditions for them to live in."

Mr Higgins however said there was no evidence to support the recently reported claim that rats were rapidly increasing in size and becoming 'mutant' rats.

"There is no scientific evidence for 'mutant' rats, although they are looking a lot healthier due to the amount of food available to them, and the tail makes them look quite long."

A spokesperson for Rossendale Borough Council said: "In general we aren’t noticing an increase in rat infestations, if anything we are seeing a decrease, but these figures are only from people who contact us for removal as people do have the option to go with other companies.

"Should a resident find a rat infestation inside or outside their house they can contact the council to get this dealt with and removed.

"There is a cost associated with this work."