A RESIDENT on a housing estate in Newtown has told how rats "as big as a cat" are climbing through a fence and into her garden.

Locals in Trehafren said the issue has been going on for years and it's now a "pretty hopeless situation".

A 62-year-old resident, who does not wish to be named, claims the issue has been poorly managed and is now a health issue.

"Since April, I've seen five rodents that are small and one as big as a cat. It was massive. They've taken some of my bait, and I've seen evidence of droppings in my garden. For me it's absolutely disgusting."

Powys County Council no longer provides a pest control service but councillors had passed a motion to re-introduce the service which was not taken forward by the cabinet as part of the 2022/23 budget.

The resident added: "I'm at the end of my tether. The estate is poorly maintained and the council don't seem to give a damn which is a big part of the problem.

"It's worrying. I don't know where to go with this. It's a problem and I've had so little satisfaction from the council."

In response to the resident's claims, a spokesperson for Powys County Council said: “The council received a complaint from a resident in Trehafren, Newtown back in April about rats coming from a next door garden.

"An inspection was carried out but there was no evidence of a rat infestation at the neighbouring property and the complainant was advised accordingly.

“However, the complainant remained concerned about rats in their garden and advised they had laid bait to address the issue.

“A further inspection was undertaken in May but again no evidence of vermin was found. The complainant was advised to seek the services of a specialist pest control contractor."

Several years after Powys County Council got rid of its pest control service, councillors in July 2021 voted to bring it back.

Between 2012 and 2014 when the pest control service was scrapped it had cost in the region of £100,000 and dropped to £50,000.

Following the motion was passed by council, the cabinet considered the re-introduction of a pest control service as part of the 2022/2023 budget setting process "but it was not taken forward", a council spokesperson added.