EAST Cambridgeshire District Council is to stop being the local rat catcher.

It’s decided to abandon it pest control service for residents “due to changes beyond our control”.

All is not lost completely for the council promised that it will look at introducing a “competitively” priced service at some future date.

For now the council says it is no longer in a position to offer a pest control service which cost them £24,000 last year and £19,000 the year before.

A spokesman said: “The existing service provided by our partnering arrangement with South Cambridgeshire District Council cannot continue due to changes within their organisation beyond our control.

“Officers are still available to provide advice about a wide range of pests and how to control them, and they can be contacted during normal office hours on 01353 665555.”

The council will maintain a service for the treatment of wasp nests but only until the end of August.

The spokesman said: “If you have a problem with rats, mice, fleas, bedbugs, cockroaches or any other type of pest then you are advised to arrange for a private company to undertake treatment for you.”

The council added that if residents came across a pest they were unable to identify officers would help identify it and offer advice over the phone on how to deal with it, though nobody would able to attend.