PEST control officers are battling to wipe out a plague of rats in the children's playground at Romsey's War Memorial Park.

Park-users first spotted the unwelcome rodents about a month ago and borough environment and health officials have been laying poison bait in a bid to eradicate the rat problem.

Dunbridge resident Bella Thomas, said: "It's riddled with rats. I saw at least 15 when I was there with my children. When you see rats there in the day you know you have got a problem. There was a family sitting in the park eating a sandwich and a rat was just a few feet away from them," said Bella.

Many parents take their children into the park to feed the growing duck population.

Bella added: "Personally, I feel someone should have a stall selling duck corn rather than people feeding the ducks with bread. It is plagued with rats, there are so many and they feed in shifts. It's next to the water and the rats have only got to come and urinate on the play area and a child falls over on it they could pick up a disease. It's a potential health risk.

A park contractor first alerted environment and health officials to the rat problem.

A borough council environment and health spokesman said the authority had taken action to get rid of the rats and had an on-going programme to deal with the pests.

He acknowledged the difficulties in trying to discourage park visitors from feeding bread to the ducks but he had this advice for them.

"Don't overfeed them. Give them small amounts of bread only. This should help reduce the amount of bread left lying about on the ground and discourage the rats," said the spokesman.