An alarming increase in reports of rats in Llandudno is being blamed on council funding cuts.

A Llandudno resident, from Ffordd Las, told the Pioneer she came across a "massive rat" in her back garden last week and when she contacted Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) to help with the matter was told to contact a private pest control company.

Due to budget cuts CCBC have been forced to cut the number of pest control officers they employ, so now there is only one servicing the whole area.

A CCBC spokesperson said currently that one officer is on annual leave and the website advises county residents to contact private companies to combat the problem.

The website reads: "Unfortunately the authority cannot currently assist you with your request for service.

"You are advised to contact a private pest control company."

The Ffordd Las resident, who asked not to be named, said: "I went out the back into my garden to collect my cat who was looking at something behind the bin.

"I spotted a massive rat just sitting there. My neighbours had also spotted them but I hadn't believed them.

"It's disgusting. And now to find out the county council are unable to help, its shocking.

"I now have to go and pay extra for a private company to get rid of the rat problem.

"I have heard there's an infestation in the former scrap yard on Maesdu Road and now they are flattening things on that site the rats are scattering into the Llandudno community."

According to Llandudno Town councillor, and former mayor, Carol Marubbi, rats in Llandudno has been an ongoing issue throughout the summer and it was getting worse.

Ms Marubbi said it was a disgrace CCBC were no longer able to help and said it should be a basic service available to all residents.

She said: "It's a disgrace, the council are cutting funding in all the wrong places. We can't be over run with rats.

"If we can't turn to them who can people go to? The number of rats are building, its become so much worse recently.

"With rats comes bacteria, illness and lots of other diseases. We need these services it is vital to out wellbeing.

"Residents are paying council tax to live in a clean county."

Ms Marubbi said fly tipping in the area was already on the rise and four weekly bin collections, due to come into effect this month, were only going to make things worse.

All this, she said, will attract more rats in time other things like cockroaches.

A CCBC spokesperson said: "Conwy County Borough Council employs one pest control officer, who is on annual leave this week, and as such we are not currently taking bookings for this service.

"However, various companies offer pest control services in the area and householders are able to book them direct."

However, the Gov.uk website, reads: "Contact your council to find out if they provide pest control services to remove pests like wasps, rats, mice and bedbugs."

Registered Social Landlord (RSL) of FFordd Las Cartrefi Conwy said they had received reports of rats in the area and were doing all they could to help with the situation.

A Cartrefi Conwy spokesperson said: “We have recently had a report of rats in the Ffordd Las area of Llandudno.

"Although we don’t have specific responsibility for dealing with pest control outside of our homes we have made arrangements for a pest controller to look at the area and for a drainage company and chemical cleaning company to check the drains.

“We have also arranged for the Probation Service’s Community Service scheme to clear an alleyway where fly-tipping has taken place.”