Locals there say they need their version of the folklore character to rid their town of an incredible rat infestation.

The rodents have overrun a former pet and fishing tackle shop on the High Street.

The store, Stalham Angling and Pet Centre, closed following a fire last May but the property is still full of animal feed and bedding which have attracted vast numbers of rats to set up home there.

The creatures have become a regular sight for passers-by and can often be seen licking at the windows of the store and scurrying around the abandoned stock inside.

The rats have been seen licking the windows at the shop. (Image: Supplied)

They have also started to spread out of the property and are causing concern for surrounding businesses.

George Williams, who lives in the town, said people walking down the High Street have started to give the shop a wide berth to avoid the rogue rodents.

"The pet shop closed very suddenly after a fire and it was left fully stocked with food and bedding. It's become the perfect rat hotel," he said.

"The rats are regularly seen at the windows. It is shocking and people cross the street rather than face the sight of rodents licking the windows."

A rat inside the pet shop on the High Street in Stalham (Image: Sonya Duncan)

And it is not only the shop where the creatures are causing a nuisance.

Gary Arthur and Ellis Speirs run separate car repair businesses in Moore's Yard behind the store and say swarms of rats can be seen drinking from the nearby puddles.

Mr Speirs, from Ellis Autos Stalham, said: "They are having a disco in there and out here it is rife as well. It is like the floor is moving.

"It is a really bad infestation and we are bearing the brunt of it as they are starting to damage the vehicles."

Ellis Speirs of Ellis Autos. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Mr Arthur, who runs GA Restoration, said he had a rat chew through the cables of a customer's car after the vehicle was left in the yard overnight.

"It got in the bonnet and chewed the wiring," he said.

He added: "It is becoming a hazard not only to us in the yard but the public on the street as well."

Rats are casuing issues with local businesses after they were discovered living inside an abandoned pet shop on the high street in Stalham. Pictured us Gary Arthur from GA Restoration (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Locals started reporting the infestation 11 weeks ago to North Norfolk District Council, urging officers to act.

Kevin Bayes, the mayor of Stalham and a district councillor, said he had reported the problem as soon as he knew about it to the Environmental Protection team.

The council issued a notice to the owner of the building on February 23, which told him to sort out the issue within four weeks.

A reminder was sent on March 24, asking for evidence of action taken by March 27.

Rats are casuing issues with local businesses after they were discovered living inside an abandoned pet shop on the high street in Stalham. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

However, Mr Bayes said the time has now lapsed and the council will now be looking into legally gaining entry into the building to sort the problem.

"It is not good for the town," he said.

"It is disappointing that we have got some owners that don't take care of the properties in the town."

It is understood the shop has been closed since a blaze broke out in the early hours of May 3 last year.

North Norfolk District Council has been contacted for comment.

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