An infestation of rats around a Northolt street is getting ridiculous, a neighbour has claimed.

Antonio D’ettorre, 57, said since the takeaway chain KFC moved into Mandeville Road 20 years ago it has been an absolute nuisance with about four waves of rats, and this is the latest.

He said bins are left open attracting the vermin which can get inside, and the retired electrician and plumber claims Ealing Council has failed to take care of the situation.

Antonio D’ettorre

Mr D’ettorre, of nearby Kingsmead Drive, said: “At least one of the big bins is open so rats can come in.  I have contacted the council about health. They said they sent somebody and spoke to KFC who said they would close the bins about two months ago.

“The situation is still the same, the bins are always open. I knew this was going to carry on. I do not know where else to turn. This is a disgrace and the council has no authority for the things they are supposed to be doing for the public.

“In August we contacted three councillors and they never replied. The public needs to know what sort of authority we have got here.”

A spokeswoman from Ealing Council said: “Ealing Council pest control officers visited the premises in September following one complaint about a possible rat infestation but we will arrange another visit as a result of this enquiry.

“The inspection found the site was clear of refuse and bins were not overflowing. We understand commercial pest controllers are contracted by KFC to monitor the site on a routine basis and our inspectors saw no evidence of any vermin.

“An Ealing food safety officer also visited KFC in September to review its waste arrangements. The inspector found no refuse on the ground around either the commercial waste bins or the bins on the pavement outside the premises and there was no evidence of an infestation.”

A KFC spokesperson said: “We launched an immediate investigation following one resident’s concerns about our outside bins, but neither this nor a regular inspection by our approved pest contractor found any issue. We liaised with Ealing Council which sent a pest control team to investigate the matter that also came back clear.

"The council did recommend some minor repairs to one of the bin lids, which we since have undertaken.”