RESIDENTS on a street in Whitehaven have complained of a rat 'infestation' - which saw one of the animals chew its way into a house and gnaw at a loaf of bread. 

People living in a block of flats on Peter Street say rat sightings around the buildings are a regular occurrence. 

One resident said in some instances rats had been able to get into their kitchen through a hole in a vent. 

News and Star: Bread which was destroyed by rats Bread which was destroyed by rats (Image: Supplied)

The resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "Rats were able to get into my flat by chewing a hole in a vent. 

"They were also biting holes in bags and wheelie bins outside. 

"A team was sent out to seal the hole and we thought the problem was solved until they came in and destroyed some bread I'd left out and we realised they were still able to gain access."

News and Star: Damage caused by rats outside the property Damage caused by rats outside the property (Image: Newsquest)

Another person living in the flats backed up the claims and said they had both seen rats scuttling around the property. 

It is believed the rodents are gaining access to the street through drainage systems and efforts are being made to prevent this. 

A Cumberland Council spokesperson said: “We received a report of rats in Peter Street and visited the site in early April.

"We assessed the rat activity and made recommendations to the landowner.

News and Star: A hole chewed through a wheelie bin A hole chewed through a wheelie bin (Image: Newsquest)

"We recommended a course of pest control, plus measures such as sealing up holes around drains, to stop rats entering the area in the future.

"To our knowledge the landowner engaged contractors to carry out the pest control treatment.

"The other measures we suggested in our report, when completed, will help ensure the rats don’t re-enter the same area.

News and Star: A broken drain where the rats can access the street from A broken drain where the rats can access the street from (Image: Newsquest)

"The landowner is working positively with us to resolve the situation and we have arranged a joint site visit with them to make sure everyone knows what needs to be done.”

The landowner, which is Home Group, says they were notified on April 10. A spokesperson said: "Since then, we have had a drainage contractor on site to survey the drains, as well as a pest control service to assess the area.

"No issues have been found within areas under Home Group ownership.

News and Star: A tunnel in a brick wall being used by rats A tunnel in a brick wall being used by rats (Image: Newsquest)

"As part of our partnership working with Cumberland Council, we have a further site visit planned for later this week to discuss a piece of land which is not under Home Group's ownership but may be contributing to the reported issue."