Sightings of pests such as rats, mice and cockroaches in Sandwell have increased over the past three years, figures revealed today.

Pest controllers attended 6,635 incidents in the borough last year, compared with 6,592 in 2009 and 5,594 in 2008.

The statistics showed rats are the biggest problem. There were 4,071 reports of the rodents last year, more than reports of  cockroaches, fleas and wasps.

The figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, revealed Smethwick has the highest number of rats and mice in Sandwell. In each of the past three years the town has received more reports of the rodents than anywhere else.

There were 1,006 reports of rats in Smethwick last year compared with 1,056 the year previously and 910 in 2008.

As well as the 4,071 reports of rats across the borough, incidents last year included 604 reports of mice, 168 reports of insects and 66 reports of cockroaches. West Bromwich had the second highest number of call-outs for rats last year, with 856 cases.