TWO sisters are afraid to visit a historic green near their home due to a long-runnng rat infestation nearby.

Maisie and Rosie Folan, of Hermon Hill, Wanstead, are calling for action to rid the area of the large vermin which live in holes on wasteland next to Christchurch Green in High Street.

The girls, who attend Forest School in Snaresbrook, have often see the rodents run on to the green from the empty plot, known locally as Evergreen Field, and grab food from bins before returning to their holes.

Maisie, 13, said: "We don't pass it any more because we get scared when we see the rats.

"You see them run to the bins on Christchuch Green, get food and then run back into the bushes.

"They are big rats and we do not know if they have fleas or viruses.

"The field has been neglected over the years and is now a health hazard."

"If we knew who owned the land I would call them and ask them to clean up the land."

The sisters recently called on councillors to act during a meeting earlier this month, a year after concerns were first raised about the infestation.

And Rosie, 11, said: "I spoke to some of my friends and they don't like the rats either. They scare me.

"They are like pigeons without wings and I really don't like them.

"They make us jump when we do see them.

"We just want the land to be cleaned up, so we can walk passed it and not feel scared about seeing rats."

The Guardian is attempting to trace the owners of the land and have asked Redbridge Council for a comment.

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