Environmental officers are battling to tackle a rat infestation at King George's Playing Field before the school holidays start in earnest.

Up to a dozen rats have been seen by witnesses near the tennis courts at the playing fields, in Ingrave Road, running around in broad daylight.

Increasing rat problems around the borough were highlighted by the Gazette last month, with environmental chiefs saying mild winters were allowing the vermin to survive and breed.

Simon Bennett, head of environmental services, at Brentwood Borough Council, said: "We are treating both that area and elsewhere at King George's.

"The original source of the problem was near the children's play area and we have for some time been carrying out treatment there."

He said the unusual appearance of the hoard of rats in the daytime, which shocked passers-by, could be because they had taken poisoned bait, which was affecting their behaviour.

Witness, Susan Brown, from Crescent Drive, Brentwood, said: "There were about a dozen rats running around behind the tennis courts. If there are a dozen you see then you know there must be a lot more that you can't. It was like the Pied Piper was there."

Brentwood Council had previously fenced off a section near the children's play area to treat it with poisoned bait.

Environmental health officers say recreation areas can be good hunting grounds for rats, which feed off food discarded by careless picnickers.

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