It comes as no surprise to me that some areas of Blackburn with Darwen are increasingly plagued with rats.

The reasons for this are primarily twofold.

A proliferation of litter, which understandably brings rats from underground onto our streets for rich pickings, and the number of new housing developments across the town.

Why the latter you may ask, but the answer is simple. These developments rely on links being established to our antiquated sewers, where rats have lived undisturbed for years.

District Councillors need to ensure that litter louts are regularly fined and that these instances are made public. I can't remember the last time I read anything about people being named in the local press.

As for the plethora of new housing developments, it is the Council again which doesn't think about the negative consequences of their planning approvals.

Finally, don't forget our Environmental Health departments with their Pest Controllers.

Don't blame them, they are under staffed and overworked to maintain any semblance of control over the rat population.

Noel Eke