They were spotted by Jenny Appleford, who said: “My husband took this picture on December 28, and we saw about six rats at the same place today.
“They’re very brazen. Traps are visible, but don’t seem to be working. The rats are large and healthy.”
Commenting on the rats, an East Hampshire District Council spokesman said: “In this case we have received a complaint from the public and we have started an investigation to ascertain the landowner and see if there are any aggravating factors.”