NEWS that Forest of Dean District Council is planning to scrap its rat catching and other pest control services has prompted private Matthew Greenhalgh to offer discounted deals.

Matthew, who runs MCL Pest Control in Bream is now giving residents living on benefits or low incomes a special rate for his services.

He said: “I know what it’s like to live on a low income from before I started my own business.

“Everyone is entitled to live a pest free life and I want to do what I can to help.

“Obviously rates vary depending on the scale of the problem, difficulties with access and other factors.

“But on average where I would normally charge £50 to remove wasp nest I would give discounted clients a reduction of £15 or £20 from the full price.

“We deal with all the pests that the council does. The difference with our service is that I proof the premises against the pests returning.

“So that, if there is a small hole in a wall where mice are getting in I would block that off.

“I have also read about people doing their own pest control by buying mice and rat poison on the Internet. You can’t do that anymore because of the danger to wildlife.

“It is now quite strictly controlled. Even, I can’t put down poison for field mice because of the danger to kestrels and owls. I have to use traps.”

For more information phone 01594 781105.