HEALTH and safety officers are investigating claims by council staff that an East Lancashire council building is infested with vermin.

The probe was launched after workers at Rossendale's council tax and housing benefits office complained about mice, insects and the air quality in the building.

And one woman worker claims to have suffered insect bites so bad that she has been left scarred for life.

The building, which is across the road from the town hall and police station, is next to a corn mill.

Council officers called in pest control experts and the Health and Safety Executive to look at the problem and they expect the final report to land on their desks by the end of the week.

Coun Alan Fishwick, leader of Rossendale Council, said: "Last year there was a problem with mice and the pest controller caught a lot of them and controlled the problem.

"At one stage he was only catching one mouse each week, but this may need controlling again.

"He also put down traps for insects and caught a few beetles, but the insects he caught were not the type that would bite.

"We are not ignoring this situation and at one stage we were holding weekly meetings to discuss the issue. But we have been waiting for the Health and Safety report and if they feel there is a problem we will act on their recommendations."

Coun Fishwick said experts from County Hall had tested the air quality at Rawtenstall Town Hall and found no problems.

He said health and safety officers have interviewed all the town hall staff as part of their investigation into the complaints.

A spokesman for the HSE said that they have conducted a series of scientific tests in the building and would be reporting back to the council.

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