A BOLTON pensioner is pleading with the council to find the source of rats which are plaguing his home.

Over the last two years Joe Lord has called out pest control workers several times to try and tackle the problem in the yard at his Slater Street terraced house.

Mr Lord believes the vermin are coming from derelict houses next to his property or waste land at the rear, but council workers have been unable to trace the rats' nest.

"They haven't got into our house yet but it is only a matter of time before it happens," said Mr Lord.

The Lords' dog often chases rats from the yard and in the last few months the family have found two dead rats at their back door.

Mr Lord's wife is too frightened to go out into the yard at night after she found a rat sitting on the bin.

A council spokesman said an environmental health officer is taking over the investigation.

"A pest control officer has investigated the problem and that investigation is still ongoing," said the spokesman.

"Mr Lord is reluctant to allow bait on his premises to confirm that rodent infestation actually exists at the present time, but there has been a history of problems."

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