A RESIDENT fears her council estate is overrun with vermin after catching 34 rats in five days.

Chris Grimwood, who lives on the White Hill Crescent Estate, in Pelton Fell, near Chester-le-Street, realised the extent of the problem when she opened her back door and stepped on a rat several days ago. After moving her shed at the weekend, she discovered a nest of rats and says since Sunday she has caught more than 30 of the animals.

She also said her children's pet rabbit had been bitten after rats had chewed through the wood of its hutch.

It was discovered by Mrs Grimwood's 11-year-old son Kyle.

Mrs Grimwood said: "I don't feel comfortable letting my kids out in the garden now, or even the dog, because of the fear they will pick up Weil's disease from rats' urine," said Mrs Grimwood.

Chester-le-Street District Council sent out a rat catcher three days after Mrs Grimwood contacted them. He laid down bait for the animals and was due to return as The Advertiser went to press to assess the situation.

The estate is in line for a large-scale overhaul, with parts of it earmarked for demolition and rebuilding.

The work should be completed by about 2008, but Mrs Grimwood said the problems caused by the empty homes should be tackled now.

She said: "There's all these empty homes where they can nest and then they come to our homes to feed."

A council spokesman said: "Officers began surveying Mrs Grimwood's and surrounding people's properties last week to get an idea of the reported infestation. Baits, which have been put out in the area are currently being monitored."

Chester-le-Street's strategy manager John Banham said they were dealing with the problem.

He said: "Pest control officers have dealt with the request to come out and look at this particular property and we've checked the empty homes, but there doesn't appear to be a problem there.

"Obviously the overall condition of the estate is one we're dealing with. We've developed a plan for the future of the Pelton Fell estate and started to improve the area."