Rats have been spotted by a lake in a park - with food being left for the ducks blamed for the infestation.

The chairman of the Warren Estate Residents Association says he has received several reports of rats at Warren Lake in Bushey Heath.

Raymond Coffer said: "I have had several recent reports from residents and regular users of Warren Lake and Mary Forsdyke Gardens of an infestation of rats around the lake, most notably by the bin on the path adjacent to the car park.

"Hertsmere's parks officer has been made aware of the increasing nature of the problem and has heard from Hertsmere's pest control officer, who has surveyed the lake and advised that public feeding of bread to the ducks and wildfowl has caused the problem, and if continued, will lead to an increase in rats."

As a result, members of the public are being asked to stop feeding the birds at Warren Lake.

Mr Coffer added: "Our parks officer will install some temporary signage this week to help raise awareness of the dangers of feeding the wildfowl in the lake bread or other food likely to attract rats.

"The pest officer will now increase visits to monitor the lake and feed back any information."