Dozens of "huge" rats have seen running around Queens Park in Crewe, with Nub News witnessing the rodents in large numbers following reports from local residents.

This July, Nub News responded to these reports by visiting the 1887 public park, finding dozens of rats running around the lake.

The rats were seen eating bird poo and leftover food from visitors feeding the birds. They were also seen running in and out of the bushes.

This July, Nub News responded to rat reports by visiting Queens Park, finding dozens of the rodents running around the lake (Ryan Parker).

A regular visitor to Queens Park told Nub News: "I saw a number of rats running into the bushes around Queens Park lake.

"One was that huge, I genuinely thought it was a duck at first."

The rats have been acknowledged as an "ongoing problem" by volunteers at the park, with limited options available to sort the issue.

Friends of Queens Park told Nub News: "The rat issue is an ongoing problem, in part caused by the huge availability of food in the park.

"Feeding the birds by so many daily means there is loads leftover for the rats.

"People are encouraged to report the issue to Cheshire East Council.

The rats were seen eating bird poo and leftover food from visitors feeding the birds (Ryan Parker).

"Resolving the problem will be difficult as few options exist that would not impact other wildlife."

It is believed an oversupply of food from visitors feeding birds at the park has caused the invasion of rats.

Chair of Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee, Cllr Mick Warren, told Nub News: "We are aware of the presence of rats at Queens Park in Crewe.

"Rats are drawn to the watercourses for which Queens Park is well known and rightly admired.

"The presence of a local food source, for example food brought into the park to feed the ducks and birds, is an incentive for the rodents to stay in the park.

A rat running about the grassed area, near ducks, at Queens Park lake (Ryan Parker).

"The council is mindful of the diverse wildlife that is present in the park and the impacts that laying down rat poison on the grounds may have on the wider ecology.

"We are reviewing whether there are actions that can be taken to help address the rats that will not harm or risk the other wildlife that Queens Park enjoys."

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