IT'S an oasis within the city of Southampton. Miller's Pond beauty spot gives people somewhere to escape urban life and enjoy nature.

Children can learn about wildlife at the Sholing Valley Study Centre or simply wander through the area described as a "jewel within the city".

Now residents fear for their health after a colony of rats moved in. Dozens of the creatures have started to enter houses and gardens and concerned locals are worried the unwanted visitors may spread disease.

Zena Ayoub got a nasty shock when she found a large rat in the kitchen of her Station Road house.

The 41-year-old science teacher said: "It was disgusting.

"My main worry is for the children as rats can spread disease. Mine walk through Miller's Pond on the way to and from school each day and they see the rats running about.

"I know there is other wildlife living in and around the pond but something has to be done."

Childminder Rachel Taylor regularly walks around Miller's Pond. The 25-year-old, of Portsmouth Road, said: "There's swarms of rats spoiling the area. It's much worse than last year. The council are complacent about this place, which should be checked regularly. I found rat droppings on my patio the other day.

"It's disgusting and could be dangerous."

Natalie Rogers, of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, explained that the brown rat was a common sight in built-up urban areas.

She said: "The brown rat has colonised most areas because it will pretty much eat anything.

"They are scavengers and will be attracted to Miller's Pond because it is close to houses so there is human refuse for them to rummage through.

"Brown rats in urban areas are generally bigger and fatter because they have so many food sources."

A spokeswoman for Southampton City Council said that the problem had been raised and they were looking at possible ways of tackling it.

She said: "We do understand residents' concerns. It is believed the increase is due to a high amount of food from fishing bait, feeding of other animals and the dropping of litter.

"We do not want to use poison at the pond as other animals could be affected and rats will not take the bait while other food sources are available. The pest control team is currently working with residents to discover the cause and find an alternative method of control."