A DISTRAUGHT mum and daughter claim they are being forced out of their council home by an invasion of rats.

Theresa Yates, 32, of Canterbury Road, Widnes, claims that for more than two weeks the family has been watching TV or eating a meal only to see an army of rats scurrying across the carpet, disappearing behind the hi-fi, dropping from wall vents and scratching around in the chimney breast.

Teresa thought an end to the problem was in sight after council pest controllers laid down poisoned bait. But she said rather than killing them, the vermin have developed a taste for the poison and claims the move has encouraged the home's growing rat population to take advantage of the 'free feed' being provided.

Now, Teresa is at her wit's end, claiming the problems has become worse than ever despite being told by the council two weeks ago it would take a fortnight for the poison to take effect.

She claims her own heart condition and her 12-year-old daughter Danielle's bronchial problems have been aggravated by the stress.

Teresa's worst fear is that it is only a matter of time before the rats find their way into the sofa or beds.

She said: 'It's disgusting and horrible. They seem to be in every nook and cranny. We saw them in the bedroom about two weeks ago. They were coming through a wall vent but that has been blocked off now and we are still seeing rats.

'The council put down open trays full of poisoned bait and we have been watching and listening ­ but if anything, it seems to be encouraging more of them to come.

'My daughter is terrified after seeing them and the stress can bring on bad asthma attacks.

'We have been passed from pillar to post by the council. I have told them I want to be put into a B&B while this is sorted out.'

A Halton Borough Council spokeswoman said: 'Our normal procedure is to visit people around two weeks after they have started using rodent bait because it can take up to 10 days to have an effect.

'We put down some bait at Mrs Yates' home on July 30 but she contacted us again after only two days to say it was not working.

'We did go out to her on August 1 and laid more bait but stressed to her that it does not kill the rodents immediately.'