A MOTHER has been forced to move house after a 'disgusting' rat infestation has taken over her street.

Jemma Hudson said dozens of rats have been found in homes along Blackburn Road in Oswaldtwistle.

The 29-year-old said the problem started in November when she discovered a rat on her bed while she was changing her seven-month-old son.

The mum-of-five, who also works in a care home and as security officer, said the problem became so bad she once saw half-a-dozen rodents in one room in her house.

Ms Hudson said she would be kept awake at night by the noise of rats in the skirting boards.

She said: "The rats started eating everything, soap, sponges, the kids' toys.

"It first started while I was changing my youngest son and one ended up on the bed.

"It went into the baby bag, it was horrible.

"Ever since we have had lots of problems.

"There's dozens in the walls and under the floorboards.

"We are kept up all night by the sounds of chewing and scratching."

Ms Hudson, who has lived in Oswaldtwistle all her life, said several other houses have also had problems with rats, including her grandmother, Rita Holt, 87, who lives further up the street.

She said the rats could be seen outside on the street.

She said: "We did call the council who came round and put rat poison down.

"However I would like them to do more than that because the problem has got worse."

Ms Hudson decided the infestation was too much and moved away from the street.

She said: "I just couldn't face bringing my kids up with that, it's disgusting.

"Rat wee and droppings can be very dangerous and I don't want to have them near it.

"I had to clean everything constantly make sure there wasn't any droppings or rat wee on anything.

"I feel bad though as I feel I have left my grandmother there.

"I once woke up and heard loud screeching, I thought it was my children at first but it was the rats.

"We've spotted a lot in my grandmother's house, as well as another neighbour's house."

Cllr Paul Cox , cabinet member for environmental services on Hyndburn Council, said; "Our pest control team have responded to calls from three householders in the last nine months to treat rodents in the neighbourhood and will, of course, carry out further treatment to residential properties in the area if needed."