A DISABLED man has criticised Fenland District Council for fobbing him off over a rat problem which he says is putting his life at risk. Peter Seal, 26, says rats have been running around the council-owned bungalow he has lived in since he was 18. Mr Se

A DISABLED man has criticised Fenland District Council for "fobbing him off" over a rat problem which he says is putting his life at risk.

Peter Seal, 26, says rats have been running around the council-owned bungalow he has lived in since he was 18.

Mr Seal, who suffered 70 per cent burns in an electrical fire when he was 18 months old and who lives alone, said: "The rats have chewed into electrical cables and I can't sleep because I'm worried they will catch fire - it could be fatal.

"I've been out and eat with friends and family because I don't want to go into my own kitchen as it smells so disgusting.

"I've even set up a CCTV camera there so I know where they are and I sit in the living room and watch them on television."

Mr Seal has been unable to work because of the injuries he suffered as a child and claims benefits.

He has five half-fingers on his left hand and two toes grafted on to his right.

"The rat problem has been on and off since I moved in and the council has just fobbed me off," he said. "They denied there is a problem until they saw a hole in the side of the house. They filled the hole with silicon but the rats will easily chew through it.

"I've now been told my case is a priority but it will take more than a week for them to get an electrician round to fix the cables. The council told me they could get some pest controllers in and pay half of the fee. But again it is taking too long.

"I've been so frustrated that I've just paid £40 and got pest controllers in myself. This is a lot of money for me and it's not right, the council owns the property and should do something about it."

A council spokesman said: "There was a rat problem in the area two years ago when there was a new development to the rear of Horsegate Gardens, but that had been resolved.

"We heard nothing more until last Tuesday when Mr Seal reported that he had a rat problem. We temporarily filled the holes soon after it was reported and an electrical check was completed on Tuesday this week.

"We aim to get a more permanent solution in place this week.