CUTS to household bin collections could spark a surge in the population of rats, pest experts have warned.

Borough of Poole (BOP) residents will lose their weekly rubbish collections from autumn 2016 after the council agreed, last year, to introduce a fortnightly service.

Households in the Dorset Waste Partnership area, which includes Christchurch and Purbeck, are already subject to fortnightly collections.

Now the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) says this policy could lead to a significant increase in the numbers of rats.

BPCA chief executive Simon Forrester said: "Any move to reduce the frequency of collections is good news for pests and a recipe for disaster for householders.

"Rats and other pests are always searching for food, water and shelter and they can find all three in household bins, particularly those that are overflowing with rubbish."

The BPCA says infestations can build up very quickly, and argues bins left full on streets and around homes for long periods pose a "significant threat" to public health.

However, BOP cabinet member for environment and consumer protection Cllr John Rampton said public health fears were "misplaced."

He added: "Poole is not the first authority to introduce alternative weekly collections.

"When formulating this policy, rather than rely on prediction, we sought evidence and experience from outside the borough.

"This indicated strongly that these fears are misplaced, that the predictions regarding vermin, household waste fly tipping etc did not materialise when the system went live."

Figures suggest Poole's decision to move to fortnightly collections could save the authority up to £633,000 per year by 2018/19.

Although homes in the Dorset Waste Partnership area have bins collected fortnightly, food waste is collected every week.

A partnership spokesman said: "Use the kitchen caddy to collect food waste indoors before emptying into the larger 23-litre bin outside. The larger container should be put out for collection alongside your rubbish or recycling containers.

"The containers both have lockable lids to prevent spills and animals getting into them."