MP BOB Blizzard has renewed his appeal for Waveney District Council to reconsider its decision to start charging for pest control services.Waveney District Council started charging for pest control, which it now operates through a private contractor, earlier this month despite campaigns from villagers and MP Bob Blizzard urging them to reconsider.

MP BOB Blizzard has renewed his appeal for Waveney District Council to reconsider its decision to start charging for pest control services.

Waveney District Council started charging for pest control, which it now operates through a private contractor, earlier this month despite campaigns from villagers and MP Bob Blizzard urging them to reconsider.

Now a Beccles pensioner has become one of the first people forced to pay just over £40 for the service and said that she feels the new regulations are unfair. Edna Pickard, of Willrede Close, saw a rat in her garden for the first time over the weekend and was shocked to have to pay for the controllers to come out and deal with the problem.

She said: “I've never had this problem in my garden before. Having to pay for it to be dealt with was the most upsetting thing. I live on a pension and £40 is a lot of money to find and I don't know how often I might have to call them out in the future.”

Mr Blizzard said: “It is quite clear that the free service is essential to ensure that Waveney residents are able to keep the rat population under control. I call on the Council to reverse the decision immediately.”

A spokesman for Waveney District Council said that the decision, which could save the council up to £60,000 a year, has been passed through the necessary council processes and will not be reconsidered until it comes before the scrutiny committee again in a year's time.