A WOMAN was left disgusted after discovering rats scurrying across a children’s play area when she took her nephews to a Bradford park.

In what was supposed to be a fun trip out, Leah Greaves could not believe what she witnessed during a visit to one of the city’s oldest recreation spots, Horton Park.

She sent the Telegraph & Argus video footage of three rats running around a climbing frame.

It comes after the T&A highlighted the problem of rats infesting a former ‘legal hub’ in Bradford last week.

Leah said: “Having recently read your article regarding rubbish and vermin (at Eldon Place), Bradford really does have a rat infestation.

"I took my nephews to the park this evening (last Thursday) and saw rats in broad daylight.

"It is disgraceful that rats are running about a children’s play area.

"There is a huge concern that the vermin are visiting the park during daylight, and this certainly needs addressing, especially when the park is a popular attraction for many families and children.

"My question to the council is what are they doing to treat this?”

Leah emailed the council with her concerns and they replied with this: “We cannot treat rats in public places as putting poison down is dangerous to animals, pets and children.

"I can ask the Environmental Health Enforcement team to investigate possible causes and try and resolve this.”

Leah is not the only one to contact the T&A aggrieved at what Horton Park has turned into.

Last month, Sohill Tariq got in touch to tell us how a relaxing morning walk was soon ruined by sights of litter in and around the pond in the 143-year-old park.

He said: “The pond is one of the most disgusting areas in the whole park.

"It was the worst sight to see on a morning walk. I was extremely gutted to see amount of rubbish around the park and especially near the pond, where the ducks, swans, frogs were.

"Many residents and visitors have seen pests such as, rats and mice, and nothing is being done about it. We have put complaints into the local authorities. Most of the residents are sick and tired of their voices not being heard.

"I like to go to the park to get my mind away from everyday life but now I’d rather stay home and not bother.

"The pond should be properly cleaned. Certain areas of the park have been restored and taken care of such as new playing areas, sandpits and flower banks but this certain area of the park has not been touched.

"This is one of the oldest parks in West Yorkshire, it is about time we saw a bit of change.”

Yesterday, the T&A approached Bradford Council, which blamed the vermin problem on people dropping food for them to feed on. It also added how work is being done to tackle the issue.

A Council spokesperson said: “Rats are coming to the park because people are dropping large amounts of food waste on the ground.

“We would ask that anyone eating in the park uses the bins provided or takes their litter home, not drop it on the floor, and that they do not leave food out for birds.

"A pest control contractor is already working in this park to deal with this problem.

"We also have a team cutting down vegetation in the park to expose areas where rats may be sheltering. They will make further visits to bait burrows.

"However, people continuing to drop food in the park means that rats and other vermin shun the bait and eat this food.”