Reading about the rats took me back to the Seventies and Eighties, when Hove had its own council.

Its very good environmental department had two excellent "mouse men", Dave and Harry.

Twice a year, they lifted one in three manholes, baited the sewers and returned to check until the baits were not taken.

It was a matter of great pride for them to keep Hove free of rats but change came and the Water Board took over this chore.

That was when the trouble started, with rats reported on the Lawns and other places.

For the operation of lifting the manholes, Dave and Harry had a lovely contraption of a cart and a red flag to keep them safe in the middle of the roads.

I am sure many people will remember seeing these two at work from 6.30pm to 9pm when baiting the sewers - a sight not seen these days.

-Marion Mitchell, Thalassa Road, Worthing