Hereford'S Safeway store has been given 12 months to 'get its act together' and sort out a rat-infested storage area, writes RICHARD WILSON.

The supermarket giant was handed a 'last chance' by city planners this week to keep using a line of storage containers at the back of their Commercial Road premises.

They were told that no further extensions would be possible.

A meeting of the central area committee heard that the eight containers attracted rodents, caused late-night disturbance for local residents and were vandal-magnets.

"These things are quite horrendous for local people," said Councillor Basil Baldwin. "There's a number of rats in the area because of all the food."

Clehonger member Philip Edwards added that Safeway had 'clearly outgrown its site' while David Fleet noted that the 'litter-strewn' rear of the store had 'become a rubbish tip'.

A number of people living in nearby Coningsby Court added their voice. One elderly couple said they were continually woken at night by the 'banging of metal objects, lorries with audible reversing sirens and the use of bad language'.

Council officers admit there is a problem with night-time noise and have banned the use of the containers between 10pm and 8am.

They are urging the store to make an application within the next year for alternative storage facilities.

Chairperson Polly Andrews concluded that Safeway should use the 12-month extension to 'get its house in order' and 'get its act together'.

Safeway manager Haydn Ebbs told The Hereford Times that he was sympathetic with the concerns of local residents, but played down the rodent risk.

"There are always rats in this area because of the canal and nearby building works, but we've got a clean bill of health as far as that's concerned.

"We will be making an application soon for a warehouse extension, which will hopefully solve these problems."