People living in a block of flats in Radstock have blasted social housing provider Somer Housing for not dealing with a rat problem which is blighting their lives.

Several residents living at Springfield Crescent say they have contacted Somer Housing numerous times after seeing an increase in the four legged fiends but feel frustrated that nothing seems to be being done to tackle the infestation.

John Clark said: “A lot of people here have young children. It is unacceptable that we have so many rats everywhere. I even found a dead one in my kitchen the other day. We need someone to sort the problem out before a young kiddie ends up catching a disease off one of them.”

Rats are known to contaminate everything they encounter with droppings, urine and hairs and carry a wide range of diseases and parasites that are harmful to humans and animals. In particular around 20 per cent of rats carry Leptospirosis, or Weil's disease, which can be fatal to humans.

David Kemp, who also lives at the flats, said: “The main problems are in the bin area. We all try to do what we can by keeping the area rubbish free but we are fighting a losing battle. We also need the bin crews to help us by picking up any rubbish that doesn’t go in the bin wagon.”

Julie Evans, Director of Customer Services for Housing & Support at Somer Community Housing Trust reassured residents that the problems are being dealt with.

She said: “The Trust has responsibility for dealing with rat infestations on communal land that it owns, and we have contracted Bath & North East Somerset Council to deal with this problem. We would like to reassure residents that bait traps have been set and the area is being monitored for further rat activity.

“We also rely on residents to take steps not to encourage rats, by being careful with their waste and recycling, placing bin bags securely in the bins provided.”