Task force set up in wake of giant rodent discovery

A TASK force is being convened to address Redcar and Cleveland's rodent problem following a giant rat find.

- By STUART ARNOLD Local democracy reporter

Council leader Alec Brown said a "collective working together" approach would aim to explore how the rat population in the borough could be brought under control.

The issue was brought into sharp focus with the trapping of a huge rat in one household in Normanby with the photo that accompanied the incident going viral around the world.

Cllr Brown and the Labour-led authority has since been criticised on social media for its response.

A Facebook post by local Conservatives said Cllr Brown "took seven days to respond to the public health emergency".

It said: "Rather than focusing on a response, he's spent his time attacking hard working local councillors."