RATS have become a problem in areas of Salisbury and local residents are unhappy with Wiltshire Council’s response and pricing for pest control.

“Blasé” was how 71-year-old West Harnham resident Christine Wood described the attitude of those she spoke to from the council, claiming their handling of the situation was “just disgusting”.

When Christine complained about the price of garden treatment to get rid of the eight rats she spotted, she said the council’s response was to get someone else to complain and pay the charges instead.

It costs £92 for a resident to get their garden treated three times against rats, with an additional charge of £27 for any extra visits.

Christine is not only worried for herself but for her neighbours, visitors and the local vegetable patches.

She said: “I’m just so angry, if my grandchildren come over and are bitten or get ill I don’t know what I’ll do.

“Salisbury has literally gone to the dogs, all the money we pay on tax isn’t going back into Salisbury at all.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said: “The service aims to be cost neutral to ensure we can continue to offer a service which is accessible to everyone.

“The charge for a rat treatment is £92 for up to three visits which includes all professional rodenticides, materials, officer time and VAT.

“Our pest control service is very competitively priced and there are no hidden extra costs.”