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ENGLAND: The Houses of Parliament may have been infested with “mutant” rats which are becoming immune to traditional poisons.

Up to £6,000 (€7,200) a month is being spent on pest control at Westminster, according to figures. The amount being spent on tackling pests at the Commons has risen 15% in the last two years, according to figures released in a freedom of information request.

Experts warn that the rats are on the increase across parts of the country after building up a resistance to normal toxic pellets and powders.