FOR Old Town resident Barry Woodham seeing rats in his garden and his house is becoming an everyday event.

And now the council has told him there is nothing it can do about the vermin infestation.

Mr Woodham, 57, a retired design engineer of Scotby Avenue, has noticed a large increase in the rat population in the last few months.

He has seen them in his garden, in the drains, and a couple of times in his house, and he has had enough.

But the council say there is nothing they can do to help him as he does not want to have poison put down, because he has three dogs and a cat, and is scared for their safety.

He said: I don't want pest control to put poison down as it could endanger one of my pets.

And because of that they have told me that there is nothing they can do to get rid of them.

So now I'm stuck with no way to get rid of them. I have seen more rats this year than I have seen squirrels. This is a real problem.

Swindon council's environmental protection team offer a gold card service for those on a low income or on income support so they get reduced rates for pest control.

Ian Ashmore, the team leader, said: We only deal with poison, but if someone needs more specialist help they can contact a private firm for help."