Pest controllers have had to deal with mice at Bradford’s showpiece Alhambra Theatre three times since last August.

Dozens of schools, as well as Bradford Council offices, leisure centres and libraries have had to be cleared of unwanted rodents and insects in the last two years.

The figures, released to the Telegraph & Argus under the Freedom of Information Act, reveal that mice have even been spotted in the Alhambra’s bistro.

The last visit by the pest control team was at the end of January.

Other infestations have seen Bingley Pool affected twice by cockroaches, Crossley Hall Primary School in Fairweather Green hit five times by mice, and City Hall plagued five times by rats and by fleas.

The data also shows that, from April 2007, schools were visited 78 times with a total of 51 different centres requesting help to get rid of pests including rats and mice, as well as beetles, black ants, fleas and wasps.

In total, pest control was needed at four libraries, including Central, Laisterdyke, Manningham and Silsden branches; three swimming pools, including Eccleshill and Ilkley Lido; four theatres and museums, including St George’s Hall, Cartwright Hall, and Cliffe Castle Museum in Keighley; six Council workplaces including Harris Street cleansing depot, Shearbridge Road Council depot and Jacob’s Well, as well as Shipley and Bingley town halls.

There were 78 pest control operations in 2007/08, which has fallen to 39 so far in 2008/09.

A Council spokesman said: “Bradford Council takes any sightings of pests in its buildings very seriously, and we do contact the Pest Control service to investigate every case.

“As the figures show, the number of investigations has gone down considerably from last year, showing that the treatments have been successful.

“The Council owns a substantial number of historic buildings, including the Alhambra Theatre which is nearly 100 years old, and this is one of the reasons why they are susceptible to pests.

“In addition, the proximity of some of our buildings to becks and canals is another reason they attract a small number of rodents.

“Members of the public can be assured that pests in our buildings are dealt with swiftly – and if necessary we will close down premises while the problem is dealt with.

“We are proud that our catering facilities at the Alhambra, and many of our school kitchens, have a five-star hygiene rating. This would not be the case if pests were not dealt with effectively.”

Last month the Telegraph & Argus reported how Bradford’s rodent population was on the rise as the demand for mouse treatments rose by nearly 16 per cent in the last 12 months.

Call-outs to rat infestations have remained constant. There has also been a five per cent increase in rodent infestations across the district, up to 2,774 in the year to February.

e-mail: jo.winrow@telegraphandargus.co.uk