GARDENERS in Hursley, near Winchester, say they are under attack from an army of rabbits.

According to residents, rabbits are breeding like wildfire and causing havoc in their gardens.

Rosie Brooks, who lives in Main Road, is so exasperated that she has pleaded to the parish council to do something about it.

She said: "It's an ongoing problem and it's become a very contentious issue in the village. They're just eating everything, even trees, shrubs and flower beds. One man has fenced off his whole garden and they're still getting through."

The rabbits have worked their way through her garden throughout the summer, munching their way firstly through grass, before moving onto her vegetable patch.

Mrs Brooks said: "They just came in for a grand party. We've sown beans three times and they're gone overnight.

"People are saying their gardens have been flattened and look like landfill sites." Her husband, John, added that it was not unusual to look out of the window and see up to 27 rabbits at a time.

Hursley Parish Council has approached IBM about the problem, as some people believe the rabbits are coming from Hursley Park.

A spokesman for IBM said:"We take our responsibilities as a good neighbour very seriously, and seek to address environmental factors in the stewardship of the site.

"While we have not been contacted formally by Hursley Parish Council, we are aware of their concerns, and will keep them informed of developments."