Council pest experts are trying to stop rats infesting the river bank in Chippenham town centre.

But an attempt to stop them feasting on bread left for ducks, swans and birds in Island Park has fallen foul of park users.

Wiltshire Council put up signs last month asking people not to feed the birds there because of damage to the river bank by rats.

It said the rats were eating so much discarded bread they weren’t interested in poison being left out for them.

But their plea was ignored by many animal lovers who enjoy the tranquillity of River Island. Last week the signs were changed, asking people to keep the amount of bread they give to a minimum.

One of those who loves feeding the birds is 85-year-old Elizabeth Tucker, who travels from Marshfield twice a week to sit with the birds.

“It is very peaceful, a lovely feeling, like living with nature,” she said. “If I found it was leaving bread I wouldn’t do it. But it’s all gone.”

Sue Payne, 56, who works at the next door Wilkinson’s store, is there three times a day and can tell each of the family of swans apart.

She said: “Year after year I watch the ducks grow and separate from their parents,” she said. “It’s lovely to watch them.

“The children cannot see them properly through the bridge railings and get their feet stuck and start to cry.”

But not everyone is against the council’s campaign. One couple shouted at 82-year-old Lena Ciriello when she threw organic brown bread in the water.

Lena Ciriello, of Cepen Park, who said: “I’m really sad. I won’t do it again because I don’t want people to shout at me. But these birds are starving. It is cruel.

“If you are a pensioner and at home on a lovely day like this, what are you going to do? You think about the animals. What have I got to do, watch the dirty water?”

A council spokesman said the measures are working. “The number of rat holes had started spreading into the park area as they become overcrowded.

“Bird feeding has reduced but there are still people feeding the birds. However, using an intensive bait programme and with a reduction in the food source we are getting a good response and the rat numbers are reducing.”