SWARMS of rats are thriving across Furness because of dilapidated drains, rubbish piles and dirty living conditions, according to pest control experts.

We can reveal that Hindpool, Barrow Island and Ormsgill top the list of the busiest areas pest controllers are called out to.

Many also exterminate infestations of mice, fleas and bed bugs all year round.

Heidi Wise from Grange has worked for Pied Piper Northern for the last 16 years and deals with everything from rodents and vermin, to cockroaches, lice and wasps.

She said: "We are seeing an increase year on year and I think that's down to more awareness and also because big companies used to do a lot of sewer baiting which doesn't happen any more.

"Sometimes it's rubbish, or it could be housekeeping issues but people need to be proactive and not reactive: if you hear something, get it checked.

"Rats can get everywhere - they chew through concrete, they are very clever and if they want to get in, they will.

"I'm always prepared, nothing fazes me any more - once we had a customer who said they woke up with rats in their bed."

The Ulverston-based company operates across Cumbria and Lancashire and Mrs Wise said although Hindpool topped the list for rat infestations call outs, she believes it is no worse than Ormsgill, Barrow Island or Hawcoat where they frequently work.

"They will go absolutely anywhere. They can cover a substantial distance," Mrs Wise added.

The information which was disclosed in a recent freedom of information act listed Hindpool, Ormsgill, Risedale, Central and Walney South as the worst wards for recorded complaints about rats in past three years.

Fellow pest controller, Dave Williams of Furness Environmental Services, believes the rats on Barrow Island are a result of people living in less than clean conditions and old Victorian drains collapsing under the strain of modern usage.

Barrow deputy mayor and councillor Tony Callister said he was "extremely aware" of the issues and said there was "no doubt" these issues exist in all councils across the country.

He said: "As a council we do have pest issues like other areas but the councillors work hard to look after the residents using whatever is available to them.

"But we should all do what we can to help like use bins correctly and recycle."