Decrease in number of rats spotted on riverfront

Rat sightings have dropped on Londonderry's riverfront, which had been plagued by large numbers of the rodents earlier this month.

Derry City and Strabane District Council said environmental health experts had visited Queen's Quay on Tuesday and had not observed any rats.

The number of rodent reports received from the public over recent days has also fallen, the local authority said.

Last week, a pest control expert warned a huge number of rats were enjoying a "five star all-inclusive holiday" on Derry's quay.

At that time, pest control business owner Patricia Page said an area of the quay had become home to a "significant rat infestation".

"They have all their needs, it's like a five star all-inclusive holiday for them, they have even got the sunshine," she told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

Dozens of rats were first spotted on the quay - an area popular with families, walkers and cyclists – in early May, with many videos of the rodents being shared on social media.

The council said environment health officers had revisited the area on Tuesday as part of ongoing investigations.

Specifically, a spokeswoman said, they were looking at sites where rodents might be living.

"Officers have been liaising with local businesses in the area who have been proactively working to introduce a range of measures to deter rodents, and further works are planned to reduce the shrubbery growth providing shelter," the spokeswoman added.

The council is asking the public to continue to adhere to the public health guidance around the disposal of food and rubbish to "help ensure the problem does not reoccur".