Rat attacks 101-year-old woman

Rats have attacked a frail, 101-year-old woman in her home.

The horrific incident has heightened fears over a rodent population explosion in West Berkshire.

Ellen Wheeler was watching television in the lounge of her Brimpton home when she felt something tugging the hair at the back of her head. She instinctively tried to swat it away - and a rat sank its teeth into her scalp.

Neighbours in St Peters Close, Brimpton, are battling their own rodent invasion and have appealed for help from the authorities. Just last month Dr Roger Quy, a Government rodent biologist, warned that poison-resistant ‘super rats’ were on the increase in West Berkshire.

Mrs Wheeler’s daughter Pamela Parsons said: “Mum was sitting in her armchair watching TV. Something pulled her hair and bit her when she tried to swipe it. It was a rat and the wound bled an awful lot. We had to wash it with disinfectant because of the horrible diseases they carry.”

She added: “My poor mother could have had a heart attack, for goodness sake. The rats have been dragging food from the kitchen and there are half chewed pieces of fruit left lying around. When are the landlords, Sovereign Housing, going to help us?”