DOZENS of rats have been seen lingering outside fast-food restaurants at a service park and the council has launched an investigation.

Rats were reportedly seen congregating around the drive-thru and bin areas of KFC but the restaurant said this is just part of a "wider issue" at Solstice Park in Amesbury.

The restaurant, which has one-and-a-half out of five stars on TripAdvisor, briefly closed on Saturday, September 30, due to a "power outage" but reopened the following day.

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised by visitors about a large rodent presence outside KFC.

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KFC said Wiltshire Council's environmental health officer has visited the restaurant and confirmed that it is pest-free indoors.

Salisbury Journal: Bins blocked the drive-thru when KFC closed on Saturday.Bins blocked the drive-thru when KFC closed on Saturday. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

A KFC spokesperson said: “We’re aware of some unwanted guests lingering throughout the retail park.

"The EHO and pest control have visited and confirmed our restaurant is pest-free and we’re continuing to work with local authorities to solve the wider issue.”

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Councillor Nick Holder, cabinet member for public protection said: “Our Public Protection Service has received and is investigating reports of rat activity at Solstice Park and there is an ongoing investigation.

"KFC have a pest control contractor in place who have found no evidence of activity within the food outlet.”

One Journal reader said it was "like the Pied Piper of Hamelin" when he visited KFC at 9pm on Tuesday, October 3, and saw "hundreds of rats" running around near the bin stores.

If you have photographed or filmed any rats at Solstice Park recently, please email newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk