EXTERMINATORS were called to a Hyndburn park after complaints it was infested with rats.

Horrified residents called the council after spotting the rodents in Rhyddings Park in Oswaldtwistle.

They were also spotted in nearby Edinburgh Drive, one local councillor said.

It is believed the rats might have been attracted to the park by food kept with the animals in the popular Pets Corner.

Hyndburn Council’s parks boss, Coun Ken Moss, said: “We have had complaints about rats in Pets Corner from a really small number of residents who object to Pets Corner.

“We have had the pest controller down every week and he has caught two so far. We have been told there was a ‘carpet of rats’ but that has been greatly exaggerated.

“There’s no bigger problem with rats in Rhyddings Park than anywhere else.”

Local councillor Peter Britcliffe said: “As far as I’m aware the outbreak of rats has been brought under control and outside the park, there was also some seen in Edinburgh Drive.

“They have also been eradicated and there have been no more complaints as far as I’m aware.”

Pets Corner was reopened by the Friends of Rhyddings Park community group in June 2006 after it took over management and maintenance from the council the year before.

Volunteers with learning difficulties care for the animals, which include pygmy goats, under-supervision.

Earlier this month, ambitious plans for Rhyddings Park were revealed.

Community groups working on a project there were given £100,000 to pull together plans that could lead to a million pound makeover.

Proposals include the creation of a Victoria kitchen garden, which could hold community and school allotments, the old coach house being refurbished, and a cafe for visitors.

Newground, the Friends of Rhyddings Park, Hyndburn Council, and Lancashire County Council, are in the process of bidding for the full £1.4million, which, would allow the improvements to be made.