Pest control workers have been forced to lay down poison at a beauty spot infested with rats.

Signs in Withdean Park, Brighton, warn visitors to keep dogs on a short lead and make sure children are supervised "until further notice" as the rodent baiting programme gets under way.

News of the infestation has spread quickly following reports of rat sightings.

Billy Hardy, 68, of Overhill Drive, Brighton, walks his weimeraner dog, Zara, in the park every day.

He said: "You get them everywhere but you just don't see them much. They are under most people's houses. You can't get away from them."

The rat poison in the park cannot be accessed by other animals but Mr Hardy said he was still worried by the signs.

A spokesman for the council said they had received reports of rats sighted in the wooded area of the park.

He said: "An inspection by our pest control team has confirmed there are rats, although we don't think it's a large population.

"We have a duty to control them to minimise risks of disease being passed to residents and park users.

"It is far better and safer for wildlife for professional council officers to undertake this work than for residents to do so if the problem reaches gardens and homes.

"We put the first bait down a week ago and hope to have controlled the problem within a month."