CONCERNS have been raised after large rats were seen in a garden in Fairlie.

A village resident raised the alarm after spotting the rodent in in Castlepark Gardens.

Local councillor Ian Murdoch believes bird feeders are attracting the creatures.

He said: "There is an awful of problems with rats generally near water and woodland.

"People maybe need to think again and stop leaving bird feeders out. These are often taken away and the problem stops.

"People are perfectly entitled to contact the council pest control service should they want to if there continues to be an issue."

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: "Owners and occupiers of land have a responsibility to keep the land substantially free from rats and mice.

"Traps can be bought from hardware stores. If numbers are large, professional treatment is advised.

"Our pest control team investigates and, where necessary, treats premises and dwellings where there are infestations of rats and mice."