Shelves have been cleared at a Walsall Poundland store as environmental health chiefs investigate reports of a rat and mice infestation at the Saddlers Centre.

All food stock was emptied from the shelves of the store in the centre following advice after a visit from health and safety officers yesterday.

The centre’s management team has been holding talks with businesses to discuss what traders have described as an increasing problem with rats and mice.

There is no evidence to suggest that vermin have been found in the actual Poundland store but shelves were emptied as a precaution. Rosemary Jarvis, spokeswoman for Poundland confirmed there had been reports of rats made.

She said: “Health and safety officers visited the store yesterday and on their advice we did remove all food items from the shelves after being advised there was a vermin problem. We are hoping to have food back on the shelves today.”

Tony Randev, owner of Cuba women’s fashion store in the Saddlers Centre, claimed a problem with rats and mice had been going on for some time.

He said: “I have seen rats 10 inches long in the centre. I believe the problem has been caused because of rubbish dumped at the service area outside the doors of the centre.

The management want us to pay for measures to stop the rats getting into the shops.”

Angela Henderson, Saddlers Centre manager, said the problem was not with rats but mice and blamed the sudden outbreak on heavy rainfall.

She said: “Both the management team and traders are working together to try and solve the problems.”