The assurances come following a report in the national press which claimed York had suffered a massive 208 per cent rise in infestations during 2007 and 2008.

The figure put York at the top of the table for percentage increases in rat numbers – well ahead of larger cities such as Bristol and Leeds.

Fortnightly rubbish bin collections, which are becoming increasingly common throughout the UK, were blamed, along with a mild winter and an increase in flooding.

However, a spokesman for City of York Council refuted the figure, pointing out an actual decline in the number of call-outs compared with the same period last year.

The period from April to September in 2007 shows 347, while in 2008 just 217 cases were reported.

“Therefore figures for the last six months are lower than for same period last year,” said the spokesman.

“There is an increase in the reported overall number of rats nationally, but the trend appears to be going down now.

“The rise is possibly influenced by milder and wetter climate.”

Gary Duggleby, owner of York-based PMS Pest Control backed up the council and said he had not noticed a significant increase in the rats around the city.

He did, however offer advice to householders on keeping the rats at bay.

“I would say to people to avoid having bird tables. If you do have one then hang it up in a tree.

“If you have a bird table then you will have rats come visiting,” he warned.

“When people put bits on the table, the birds spread it all over with their wings and the rats just come and pick them up.”

For people suffering from rats in the house, Mr Duggleby said off-the-shelf poisons were an option, but said the method did have its drawbacks.

“The rat may die in your walls and it will smell a lot for about three months. For peace-of-mind get an expert in,” he added.

“And make sure if you have a water tank in your loft you keep it covered up. “If you don’t, the rats will use it to drink from and that’s a very good way to get Weils Disease, an infection carried in rats urine.”