Fears are voiced that Wigan's centrepiece Mesnes Park is being overrun by rats

Concerns have been raised that a sudden upsurge in the rat population at Wigan’s jewel-in-the-crown Mesnes Park could get out of control and pose public health problems.

The alarm has been raised by dog walker Derek Beesley who has seen more than 20 at once when walking close to the pond.

Food thrown for ducks there and left for squirrels near the cafe have sustained and emboldened the vermin.

Wigan Council says it is exploring various alternative pest control options as it recognises that there is a problem at present.

It is also urging the public not to leave food for the birds as they are already being fed.

Mr Beesley, a 71-year-old quantity surveyor is worried that if something is not done to curb the population soon, then the pest problem could really get of hand.

He has conctacted both Wigan Council public health and green spaces teams along with councillors where he lives at Ince, but so far says he has not seen any evidence of action being taken.

He said: “You are always going to get rats near water, but this is getting ridiculous - and worrying.

“I was walking my son’s dog in the park one evening last month and there were three rats sitting on the path feeding. I went on a bit further and was amazed to see about another 20 on the bank of the pond.

“I’ve been seeing a lot of them since too. People throw food for the ducks near the pond and also leave food for squirrels near the cafe and obviously the rats are feasting.

“Curiously I’ve not seen any squirrels recently. I don’t know if that’s connected.

“I appreciate there are limits to what the council can do as far as pest control is concerned because laying poisons could endanger other wildlife and visitors’ dogs.

“But rats pose a health risk. A lady at the park told me that she knew someone whose dog had to be put down after contracting Weil’s disease from rat urine.

“At the very least the council could put up signs warning visitors not to leave food around, whether for ducks or squirrels.”

Mr Beesley said that the highest concentration of rats seemed to be on the Parson’s Walk side of the pond.

A spokesperson for Wigan Council said: “Our pest control team have been investigating the issue in Mesnes Park, which unfortunately seems to be linked to overfeeding of the birds in the park.

“There are pest control measures already in place and the team are looking at alternative pest control measures targeting rats while not endangering local wildlife, and of course ensuring they are not a danger for pet dogs that use the park.

“We would ask people to not put down food if there is already food out for the birds and signage will be installed in the park to increase awareness of the issue.”

Rats can multiply very quickly and are known to carry several diseases including leptospirosis (Weil’s disease), salmonella and hantavirus.